How to Protect Your PC from Viruses and Malware

PC security is one of my favorite subjects. I spend a lot of time fixing problems that could have been easily avoided by using a few simple tools. On this post I will list some of my favorite applications that will keep your computer healthy.

Run Anti Virus Software

Rule number 1, use an Anti-Virus program and keep it up to date.
Everyone has their favorite, I recommend Avast Free Edition for most users because it is free, stable and effective. Plus, the boot time scan is great. No matter what AV program you use, none of them are a complete solution. Do not depend solely on it. For a complete solution, you need to combine it with a few other products.

Run Windows Defender

If you are running Windows Vista you already have it. If you are running Windows XP SP2 or above it’s available as a free download. This program is a pleasant surprise from Microsoft. It is lightweight, effective, unobtrusive and works.

Malware Cleaners

Malware can be defined as any program designed with malicious intent. This includes viruses, worms, rootkits, spyware, adware and Trojans. As scanners get better, so does the malware. Malwarebytes available here is my top pick. Unlike an antivirus program, you can run as many of these as you want so if you think you might be infected run several of them. Here are my top picks.

http://malwarebytes.org/
http://superantispyware.com/
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html



If you are infected and your installed tools are not able to remove it, or they do but it comes back after a reboot, run both of these online scanners in safe mode, reboot to safe mode and run them again.

Free Online Scanners
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

If you have tried all of these and you still feel you are infected, call a pro or keep an eye out for my Guide to Advanced Malware Removal. I will be posting it soon.