Step 3: Anti-Virus Software

In the News:
Windows Vista Claims Anti-Virus Software Not Necessary
Symantec's Security Response to Vista Claims

Agree or disagree with these articles at your own risk.

Personally, I still claim: Always have the latest anti-virus protection. Fast-spreading mass-mailing viruses, worms and trojans can easily infect exposed PCs over dial-up or broadband connections, forward themselves to your email contacts and even help remote hackers hijack personal information. Following are two anti-virus options that I recommend. They do have an internet security program available that is more complete than just an anti-virus, I recommend these as well, however, at least an anti-virus is required if your computer is online or if you use disks to transfer data.

Program $39.99 2 year Subscription $74.99 Symantec's Norton AntiVirus comes with anti-virus, anti-spyware, internet worm protection, and rootkit detection. The program will detect and removes viruses and spyware, block spyware and worms automatically, prevent virus-infected emails from spreading, and it will find and removes hidden threats. Platforms: Windows® XP/Vista. Purchase Package or Download

Program $39.99 Subscription $39.99 McAfee VirusScan Plus offers 3 in 1 PC Protection from viruses, hackers and spyware so you can surf the Web safely. Prevents multi-pronged attacks by integrating anti-virus, firewall, and anti-spyware technologies. Simplifies security with the new and improved McAfee SecurityCenter. Shields your PC around the clock: always on, always updating, always protecting. Warns you about sites which send spam, install adware, or attempt online scams. Purchase Package or Download

Free! AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is the most popular free solution available at no cost to home users and provides the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers. Free Download

Free! The latest version of Avast! Antivirus features outstanding detection abilities with high performance. You can expect 100% detection of viruses and excellent detection of Trojan horses. Free Download

Download, install, and run a full system scan with your new anti-virus.

If any of the anti-virus programs above find any viruses that it cannot clean, write down the name exactly and search the web for that virus name to find manual instructions to remove your virus. Be assertive! You can remove your own viruses.

Now would be a good time to restart your computer. Make sure you bookmark this page so you can find your way back here to complete the rest of the steps. Next we will go over your specific computer options and configurations that will help your computer's performance and boot time.