"Windows .. the best virus and malware detecting program there is!"


(read these to see what you, as a Windows user, are dealing with:
Wikipedia Definitions
Definitions from Cisco
ESET Definitions

FIRST: Keep your computer updated from the Windows site on the CRITICAL updates! You have a tab on your Windows start up menu. USE IT! Or at least have the fact that there are critial updates notice show up on your computer. That can be done in the Windows Security Center. (note: because of active X on the Microsoft site, you HAVE to use Internet Explorer to navigate to the site and to download.)


The following is a listing of FREE programs that can and will make Windows safer and easier to operate:

NOTE #1: that these links take you to HOME PAGES. Those pages will explain a lot about each program, but you will have to navigate deeper to find the actual downoad on some of the sites. READ and double check what you are doing and make NO assumptions!

NOTE #2: If you hit an area that asks for PAYMENT, you have chosen the wrong link. ALL of these programs are FREE!

First off, a list of on line virus scans in case you failed to keep your resident scan up to date:

Housecall
Bit Defender
Kaspersky
Panda
ClamWin (this is actually a download you run from your computer. It will not function as a real time protector or as an on line scan and has to be updated every time you wish to use it, but it finds things that some on line scans miss. The big drawback is the amount of time it takes for the program to run.)

And both Norton and McAfee offer on line scans.

But, as with all "free" scans of any kind, you will have to register and make sure you are using the free scan and not BUYING an anti-virus program. And many of the "free" on line scanners (but none of the above) will tell you that you have issues and for $XX.XX dollars they will remove them for you .. those are BOGUS scans and should be avoided! Take your time and read the instructions VERY carefully.


You will note that there now follows a basic 5 catagory list of what you really need to be able to stay on line with your Windows computer and keep it out of the repair shop. I can not emphasize more the absolute need to keep these programs UPDATED at all times. Script kiddies are active 24/7/365 in their attempts to gain information from you and just damage computers "because they can." Since Windows computers are the easiest ones to get into by it's general nature, your Windows computer has a big target painted on to it! (Vista IS more secure than anything they have come up with yet .. but still a target!)
Microsoft will do little to help of if they do, it will be a day late and a dollar short. Protection is up to you if you want to continue to use Windows.


CATAGORY 1

FREE TESTED INSTALLED anti-virus programs: These live ON your computer and do real time (that means they check things as you do them .. such as your eMail and downloads .. for VIRUS files.)
(only install and use ONE resident AV program as conflicts between multiple installed versions will render them ALL ineffective.)

AVG
Avast
PCTools

User reports indicate Avast seems to work better in Vista than does AVG, and AVG has been BLOCKED by some malware attacks in the past, but both are still very good programs.
Both are attempting to address issues other than virus files, but the jury is out on their effectiveness at trying to be a "one size fits all" program.
Note that currently NO anti-virus program will stop all ad-ware or spyware or a myriad of other types of malware. It takes other programs to do that in Windows.
PCTools AV is new on the scene and has not had the thorough "testing by using" as have the other two, but the company is a reliable company with a stable of clean up and repair tools (commercial) that are proven. NOT sure if there is a "trial ware" clock built into it. But was told the program works well. (not tried it myself!)

Windows itself is SUPPOSED to be offering a free program soon to take the place of One Care .. (an attempt at a paid program).
But just think about it. The program they are trying to protect is THEIRS. Why not write the protection into the program itself and update it to all users?



CATAGORY 2

Spyware/Adware protection and removal: (on these, the more, the merrier!)

SUPERAntiSpyware
Currently one of the top two there is at removing spyware and related. As of right now, this is the only program that will remove that annoying pop up ("your computer needs to be checked because it needs protection".) or similar (called SmitFraud) in ONE pass. (As with any database program, it is only effective if kept totally up to date.)
(A NOTE: this one will slow down your boot! As it takes time to do a quick scan on every boot up. No way to stop that. Unless you go to start> run> type in: msconfig and run it and select "start up" tab. Then uncheck it in the startup. It still can be used as a launched scanner from your desktop.) You then have to rely on one or more of the following that HAS real time protection for that type of protection!

Ad-Aware FREE
This is a relative thorough scanning program and it has a lightweight resident blocker now in the free version.

Spybot Search and Destroy
(this is a scanning and removal program and is accompanied by an "immunize" program that blocks files that have been determined to be malicious. (Same database comment as above.)

Spyware Blaster
(this one is just a blocker program, not a scanner, and the data base comment from above applies here, too)

Spyware Guard
(this is just a small alarm system to alert you when some program is attempting to re -write your browser and add items and even go so far as re-setting your home page! It gives you the option of saying NO (applies mostly to Internet Explorer, as you can set other browsers such as Firefox or Opera to do protect themselves without a third party program.)

NONE OF THESE PREVENTION PROGRAMS WILL WORK IF THEY ARE NOT KEPT UP TO DATE AND TURNED ON! YOU HAVE TO DO THAT YOURSELF!

AND
some really DEEP cleaning programs:>

These puppies will take a VERY LONG time to scan your computer as they are the most thorough scanners there are. Best to start them before you go to bed and they will be done by morning!

A-Squared FREE
MalwareBytes
This one will take some time to do it's job, but it is one of the most thorough scanners around at present! It also removes most of what is called "Rogue Anti-Spyware" also called "Scareware", a supposedly "free" program that did a scan, found a bunch of malware, and now wants to charge you to remove it (these programs really do not find anything, they just tell you that they did and when you pay, they clear their own list out!)

CATAGORY 3

A Firewall: (one will do)

You CAN activate the one in the Windows Security Center .... this is the weakest choice as this one does not stop programs you load from "phoning home" for updates or what ever reason. (which can get annoying and if you are on dial up, stop your computer in it's tracks until the update is done!) BUT, it does stop the original intent for a firewall, that of blocking outside sources from accessing your computer for nefarious purposes.

Zone Alarm
This is the most popular at present. It takes a bit to get it set up and working as you will get "do you want to allow" pop ups until it is set, but it is solid and reliable most of the time.

Comodo Firewall
This is an on again/off again freebie that comes highly recommended . It comes with an anti-virus program available (no test opinions available) .. PLUS this one is also available in 64 bit and for Vista.

The BEST firewall is to be on a home network behind a router, which comes with a built in ACTIVE firewall.


CATAGORY 4

A pop up blocker:

Only needed for Internet Explorer as an add on as other browsers have their own that all is needed is to acivate them.
For IE, the easiest is to install the Google Toolbar and search bar from the Google home page and activate the blocker. (Do NOT install the Google desktop search .. it hogs your computer and really is NOT needed!)
Firefox and Opera have add-ons available from their respective home site libraries.


CATAGORY 5

Clean up and removal:

Windows is like your vain old Aunt that refused to wear her glasses when she cleaned her house. It leaves piles of junk and garbage behind with every program added or removed .. and with every site visited on the internet.

These are the better of the programs:

CCleaner
The most popular right now and one of the easier ones to use. It also allows some minor work in the Windows registry to speed things up for you by removing some of the registry commands that, because of the fact you used Windows, got left behind and no longer lead anywhere.
A caution here when you install. CCLeaner will ask you to install quick launch and add ons to your recycle bin and .. most importantly, a EUROPEAN Yahoo toolbar when you are installing .. just say no!

Clean Up!
A newer one on the scene that does come highly reccommended. Does about the same as the above program.

Glary Utilities
This one does not CLEAN as well as the above two, but is much more thorough when it comes to cleaning the registry (it does not have as many user settings) .. but, a good adjunct program to either of the above.
A caution on the install of this one, too. This will try and get you to install the ASK search engine toolbar .. again, just say NO!



Of course, there is an alternative to ALL of this foolishness.

Linux!