2.04.2006
You don't always get what you pay for.
According to an old wives' adage, "You get what you pay for." Thus many assume that if its free it either doesn't work or has a catch. When it comes to computer software this can be the case but is not always true. Traditional, users since the late 90's have payed for an anti-virus software package. Now with the dawn of a new age of computer malware, spyware removers are becoming a major money-maker. But there are still benevolent people in the world who create things for free. I personally use both a free anti-virus and a free spyware sweeper and have found them as effective, if not better, than commercial products.
My anti-virus is controlled by a program called "Avast!" Sleek and stylish it sits in the system tray scanning incoming websites, emails (both Pop3 and anything fed through Outlook). It also does a quick check of any file that is launched, keeps tabs on internet website scripting, scans incoming IM's and files traded with popular peer to peer clients. In addition it has a "Network Shield" that will detect any virus trying to spread from your computer toward others. While sitting in the tray it will update its definitions (which happen about every day) and when it does so it annouces it verbally over the speaker.
The actual anti-virus scanner is a little too concentrated on its GUI because nothing is labeled with text, only icons. However, once you know what to press it works great. On program startup it scans the memory to see if any virus's are hiding there. It has different levels of scans, the most detailed being more effective. However, once you set it on "Thorough" it takes an ungodly amount of time to scan. I attribute this to the fact that on such a level it scans the contents of compressed files. The one feature I disable is a "resident protection" that makes a sort of backup of your system in case a virus wrecks havoc. The reason I disable this is because it takes up some memory. A feature I have used is a screensaver in which Avast! scans the system when the screensaver comes on.
Avast is free for personal use and can be obtained at www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
My anti-virus is controlled by a program called "Avast!" Sleek and stylish it sits in the system tray scanning incoming websites, emails (both Pop3 and anything fed through Outlook). It also does a quick check of any file that is launched, keeps tabs on internet website scripting, scans incoming IM's and files traded with popular peer to peer clients. In addition it has a "Network Shield" that will detect any virus trying to spread from your computer toward others. While sitting in the tray it will update its definitions (which happen about every day) and when it does so it annouces it verbally over the speaker.
The actual anti-virus scanner is a little too concentrated on its GUI because nothing is labeled with text, only icons. However, once you know what to press it works great. On program startup it scans the memory to see if any virus's are hiding there. It has different levels of scans, the most detailed being more effective. However, once you set it on "Thorough" it takes an ungodly amount of time to scan. I attribute this to the fact that on such a level it scans the contents of compressed files. The one feature I disable is a "resident protection" that makes a sort of backup of your system in case a virus wrecks havoc. The reason I disable this is because it takes up some memory. A feature I have used is a screensaver in which Avast! scans the system when the screensaver comes on.
Avast is free for personal use and can be obtained at www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
