Tips for choosing an anti-virus program

Anyone who has ever experienced the pain of getting a virus on their computer knows the dangers of hackers and virus. And the worst thing is that anyone can be vulnerable to getting viruses. The internet makes it possible for any computer to get a virus, if, that is, you have a computer without virus protection. Luckily, there are great programs that can help prevent getting viruses. If you don't have an anti-virus program it's about time you got one! So here are some tips for choosing an anti-virus program.

First, anti virus protection software must be able to detect 100% of all possible virus threats. To find out which software meets this requirement, go to AV-Test.org, which performs extensive testing of viruses. You also want to get some protection that is affordable, and offers upgrades at little or no cost. If you use email, instant messaging or file sharing applications, you'll need some extra measures of protection.

Now, here are some questions that you should ask before purchasing anti-virus software.

1. How often is the virus software updated? Virus definitions are what the anti-virus software will use to determine whether or not your computer has been infected. Obviously, the more updated the virus definitions are, the better the chances are of you being able to prevent your computer from becoming infected. Therefore it's very important that you choose an anti-virus program that updates the virus definitions frequently and quickly.
2. Does the software automatically update the virus software? Usually, there is nothing bad about having to manually update the virus definitions. But since viruses usually multiply very quickly, it is much better to have the virus definitions updated automatically. By having them updated automatically, you not only ensure that your virus definitions are being updated, but it also eliminates the possibility of you forgetting to manually update them, making you more vulnerable to a virus attack.
3. Can you configure the software to check for updates whenever you go online? Your computer can vulnerable to a virus infection any time you go online, regardless of whether you're checking your email or just logging onto a website. Obviously, the best way to protect your computer from viruses when you go online is to choose anti-virus software that can be configured to check for updates when you do go online. Good virus software should be able to scan incoming and outgoing email automatically. Many viruses can be spread through email without the sender or recipient even knowing about it. If you use an email program like Microsoft Outlook, you should choose an anti-virus program that automatically checks all emails for viruses.
4. Can the software be set to automatically scan your computer on a regular basis? Often, a computer can be infected by a virus without causing any apparent damage, which makes it seem as if the computer is virus-free. It's especially risky if you have a cable or DSL connection, which keeps you constantly connected to the internet. The best way to ensure that your computer does not get any viruses is to have an anti-virus program that you can set up to perform automatic scans of your entire computer on a regular basis. Good virus software also provides a way to "clean out" viruses that it detects. That way, if your computer does become infected, you don't need to panic because you'll have a way to get rid of the virus. Some anti-virus software only detects viruses and doesn't actually get rid of them. It is much better to get anti-virus protection that actually provides a way to rid your computer of any viruses it finds.

The most popular anti-virus programs available today are Norton Antivirus, McAfee Antivirus, and Trend Micro's PC-cillin. These three meet all of the above criteria and will ensure that you are protecting your computer from viruses.

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