Anyone who goes online needs antivirus software to protect their computer from the thousands of viruses lurking online. There are many anti-virus packages out there.
Because new viruses hit the Internet nearly every day, you must update your anti-virus software so that your computer is protected. So when you're choosing antivirus software, make sure that the software you choose enables you to check for updates at least every day. Software that only provides weekly or monthly updates will leave your PC at risk during a new virus outbreak.
Get anti-virus software that enables automatic virus updates. This means that each time you go online, your computer will automatically scan for the important updates that will protect your computer, and then it will download them.
You can choose to manually update most anti-virus software, but this is not a good idea, as you or your family may forget to update the files.
Make sure the anti-virus software you get lets you carry out a manual scan of files you are transferring from floppy disks, memory sticks or the Internet. This helps you to ensure that the files are safe.
Make sure your software works with your email software, so that it can automatically scan your emails before they get to your inbox. By doing this, most viruses can be caught before they cause damage to your system. Most popular anti-virus software works well with Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express.
Some anti-virus software comes as part of a Security Suite. A Security Suite is a combination of security programmes that provides full protection for your computer. A typical Security Suite will include the following protection:
Some anti-virus packages, such as AVG anti-virus, are free for home users. Other packages, such as McAfee or Norton, cost money. Although each package is different, they all cover the essentials, including:
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