Antivirus Software

In this modern world, everyone needs a computer.  We can do a lot of things with our computers.  We can prepare documents, make, edit and watch videos, listen to music, surf the Internet, send Emails, chat with our friends, play games, or even make calls!  Computers are very valuable, and when it comes to their prices, they are not cheap!  Because of the malicious software out there, antivirus software in PCs has become necessary to protect our computers from spywares, Trojans and other viruses.

What is antivirus software?

Antivirus software is a program that either comes installed on your computer or that you purchase and install yourself. It helps protect your computer against most unwanted invaders that can make your computer “sick.” Viruses, worms, and the like often perform malicious acts, such as deleting files, accessing personal data, or using your computer to attack other computers. 

What are the best antivirus solutions available?

When purchasing an Internet security suite keep in mind the various features and how they can best serve your needs. There are certain elements that may be more important than others.  
 
For instance, if you have a traditional “wired” network installed in your home (i.e. you don’t have wireless), Wi-Fi protection probably doesn’t need to be a high priority feature for you. Other facets of this software are necessities and should always be included, like email scanning, for example.

There are countless antivirus software options available in the market today.  The best antivirus options should provide updates frequently.  This way it keeps itself well-equipped to deal with the latest menaces to our computers.

We create or download files.  We also insert CDs and flash drives in our computers.  All these have potential to expose our computers to danger.  This is why the scanning capacity of the antivirus software is also very important to protect our computers from threats.  The best antivirus provides us with the best scanning capacity on a regular basis.

Surfing the Internet is probably the most common activity we do with our computers.  There are websites, however, that are filled with spywares and other threats that can easily damage our computers.  The best antivirus will protect us from threats coming from the websites we use as it can determine probable hazards to our computers.  The best software should also be able to defend our computers from new viruses that are not yet registered in the virus database.

Making the best choice is crucial.  But you don’t have to do it alone.  Below is a list of the top antivirus software options as reviewed by Amazon.com: 

Also i noticed if kasp…done an update at startup
the windows pop-up appeared saying no a/virus.

As far as i know there is no way to tell windows
that you do have it as they don’t even seem to know which
a/virus you have….you may have changed 2 or 3 times.

Just go to control panel….security centre…..click on change the way
security centre alerts me and uncheck the Virus alert and
click ok…..you can leave the firewall and the updates checked as they don’t seem to give a problem.

http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninstaller/3000-2096_4-10687648.html?tag=mncol

and use this anti-virus…
Microsoft Security Essentials
Its Free. (available free at download.com)
Only runs on a genuine copy of windows.
Antispyware engines.
Rootkit protection.
Real-time detection (Microsoft SpyNet).
Quick, full, or custom scan.
Most updated anti-virus software.
High-quality protection against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms and other malicious software.
No costs or annoying subscriptions to keep track of.
No needless alerts.
Updates and upgrades are automatic.
Very light on system.
Scans removable drives as well.
Click on source below to download.

Source(s):
http://download.cnet.com/Microsoft-Security-Essentials/3000-2239_4-10969260.html?tag=mncol

then install a registry cleaner…
A registry cleaner is used to wipe away your tracks from Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, and Google Chrome from various Windows system areas, and from some third-party applications. Your computer gets slow from different sorts of files and registry gets flooded.
To get rid of such things you can install CCleaner.
Its available free at download.com

Source(s):
http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/?tag=mncol

Here are some good resources. I would recommend a housecall.trendmicro.com scan.

If the pop ups appear when you’re online, activate your browsers pop up blocker. Go to tools – internet options – block pop ups.
But if they appear on your pc when you’re not connected to the net then you have either spyware or adware on your pc. Run Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware SE Personal to get rid of them.
http://www.grisoft.com – AVG antivirus
http://www.avast.com – Avast antivirus
http://www.lavasoft.com – Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org – Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware. Use the Teatimer settings to protect Internet Explorer, and the Immuniser to stop malware getting on your pc.
Also use Microsoft Defender and their online scans.

And these are useful utilities:
http://www.microsoft.com/defender
http://housecall.trendmicro.com
http://www.mozilla.com – Firefox web browser.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
Winpatrol is a handy utility that manages cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won’t uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -McAfee Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.

Tom

I just read your other question. Assuming that sending it to your AOL account is causing the problem, just get help on AOL – they know exactly what every AOL error message means and exactly how to fix it.

What are the best name-brand security and anti-virus software that will protect my computer from severe viruses and the works?

(BTW, i plan to get a laptop)

There are a few components that protect your home desktop from viruses .
1. Antivirus – for basic virus protection .
2. Antispyware & Antimalware applications – for the additional security .
3. Firewalls – to block any attempts to get to your computer .
4. Browsers – Always better to get the better one .
5. Optimize your PC for Free .

************* Antivirus Software ***************
Avast – http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
AVG – http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
Avira – http://www.free-av.com/

******************Antimalware Software ***********************

Malwarebytes – http://www.malwarebytes.org/

*****************Anti-Spyware Software**********************

SuperAntispyware – http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

***********Any one of the following Firewalls – **************

Comodo Firewall – http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

*********** Be aware of malicious web sites ******************
http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie.html

******************** Browser ********************
Use a safer browser , for example google chrome , opera or firefox .

FireFox – http://www.mozilla.com/firefox

******************** PC Optimization **********************
Glary Utilities Free – http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html
Ccleaner – http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

So if you look at any paid total security suite , it provides pretty much the same as above .
Good Luck

Here is a quick fix to get your icons back,

Take your mouse and center your arrow in the desktop, now right click the mouse>Look for Arrange icons by> Is there a check mark by the Show Desktop Icons? If not left click in front of Show Desktop Icons.

That should bring back the icons.

You want to make sure you’re using an anti-virus program that will work well with your OS, so Microsoft actually put up some information to help you choose a program that will work with whichever Microsoft OS you have.

Check it out here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-vista.aspx.

Cheers,
Ron
Windows Outreach Team

Norton isn’t free, legally. It’s not a free program, so getting it for "free" would mean somewhere along the line, someone likely didn’t get it legally.