You can also continue reduce the possibility of infection and improve your PC’s security by following a few best practices, maintaining a current antivirus software package, keeping your system updated, and using a firewall. It is also important to back your critical files up on a regular basis prior to encountering a virus or other problems.

There are steps you can take to help avoid viruses which include:

• Use an Internet firewall.
• Subscribe to antivirus software and keep it current and do not open an email attachment from a person you don’t know.

Do not open an email attachment from someone you know, until you are sure you know exactly what the attachment is. The sender may not know that it contains a virus.

• Do not use an administrator account unless it is necessary. Instead use a standard user account.

Steps to prevent spyware include:

• Use an Internet firewall. Although unwanted software, including spyware, can come bundled with another program or can come from an unscrupulous website, some spyware can be generated and placed on your computer remotely by unscrupulous hackers.
• Keep your software updated. Use a software package that you’ve downloaded and installed all the latest critical and security updates.
• Adjust Internet Explorer security settings. Adjust the security settings on your browser to determine how little or how much information you want to accept from a website.
• Download and install antispyware protection.
• Surf and download more safely. The best defense against all unwanted software including spyware is to not download it in to begin with. Here are a few helpful tips that can protect you from downloading software you don’t want:
• Only download programs from websites you trust. If you’re not sure whether to trust a program you are considering downloading, enter the name of the program into your favorite search engine to see if anyone else has reported that it contains spyware.
• Read all privacy statements, license agreements, and security warnings associated with any software you download.
• Click the red x in the corner of the window or press Alt + F4 on your keyboard to close a window rather than clicking on Agree or OK to close a window.
• Be wary of popular free movie and music file sharing programs, and be sure you understand all of the software packaged with those programs.
• Use a standard user account instead of an administrator account.
• Although spyware programs differ from viruses, many can behave much like viruses and pose similar and other risks. To help protect against spyware, use a comprehensive malware protection program.

PC Security

There are numerous PC security systems on the market today. The purpose of this article is to give you a thumbnail sketch of four of the more popular ones on the market along with the more obvious pros and cons.

Avast!

Synopsis:  Avast!’s antivirus software now provides full security including antispam and firewall protection. It’s still provides only the essentials, however, it is a good choice if that’s what you’re looking for.

Pros: Avast! Installs fast and has a small download size. The firewall identifies and blocks exploits makes its own program control decisions, and stealths all ports. It has accurate antispam which needs no configuration. The PC security software includes multiple shields which prevent malware attacks.

Cons: This PC security software is less effective than some of the top suites at blocking and removing blocking malware. It also presents a minor drag on system performance.

PC Tools Internet Security 2010

Synopsis: Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 2010 is at the heart of PC Tools Security suite and is an impressive standalone application. Overall, the PC security software is worth a look even though not every component measures up to Spyware Doctor.

Pros: This software provides great malware cleanup. It has an accurate spam filter, blocks leak tests and exploits, detects malicious web code and identifies bad sites, and has excellent protection against new malware infestation.

Cons: The phishing protection this software provides is less than effective when compared to IE. Also, it has a slow boot process, the spam filter significantly slows email downloading, and the firewall’s program control will default to a weak setting.

AVG Internet Security 9.0

Synopsis: This latest PC security suite from AVG provides a distinct improvement over its predecessor. The firewall problems with this software are now fixed and it integrates multiple new antimalware technologies. Although it is not a challenger for Norton Internet Security 2010 and other top products it is now a good choice.

Pros: This software has very good malware detection and multilayer malware blocking. It also provides free identity theft recovery help and protects against malicious websites and scripts. It actively blocks exploits, has fewer firewall queries, and an accurate spam filter.

Cons: The software doesn’t remove detected malware thoroughly. It has no parental control. Its anti phishing is not effective, and it does slow some system activities.

CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2010

Pros: Experts were hired to completely overhaul this PC security suite’s user interface. The result is an interface that is user friendly, stunning, and unique. The components of this software are now fully integrated in new user centric interface. The firewall resists direct attack by malware and it stealths all ports. It is very good at blocking root kit installations; it rates websites and links, and has good parental control.

Cons: The suite’s default settings can cause serious trouble for users. It has slow system performance and its default settings allow Internet access for unknown programs which can silently block good programs. Its spam filter is nonfunctional until trained and it only has rudimentary backup. The site rating marks valid sites as risky.