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Protecting your home computer is essential in this day and age. There are new viruses being created everyday with the intent of damaging your computer’s operating systems or files, and hackers are always looking to access your personal computer to get access to personal information, including financial info, passwords, etc. The two key pieces of software every computer user that connects to the internet should have are a good antivirus program and a good firewall. Fortunately, instead of spending up to $50 or more on each one, and paying a yearly renewal fee, there are two great programs out there that can provide this protection for free. Not too many things can be had for free these days. I know there are other free antivirus and firewall programs out there, but I have been using both the free version of the AVG antivirus and the Zonealarm firewall for over 3 years now, and have not had one problem. I am not a computer expert, so you may need something more robust. But if you are a fairly careful web user, I think these two programs probably provide all of the protection you will need.
AVG Antivirus
- The free version of AVG antivirus program is rated highly by many PC magazines and hardcore computer users. I have not had any problems with it slowing down my computer, which is a complaint of some of the popular antivirus programs out there. It provides protection against viruses, spyware, adware and identity-theft, and updates on a regular basis. Make sure you allow the option of the program to download the updates when they are available so you have up-to-date protection.
Zonealarm Firewall
-The free version of the zonealarm firewall provides basic firewall protection, blocking attempts to access your computer, and making your computer basically invisible to those online. You will get a pop-up when a new program tries to access the internet, which some people find annoying, but if it is a program you want to allow, you can click a box so it does not ask you again in the future. I don’t really find this to be a problem.
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Back when I used Windows, I used those two with good results.
Here’s another good (and free) anti-virus: http://www.clamwin.com/
@Rachel:
Thanks for pointing out clamwin, I have heard good things about that one also.
Great article. I have used Zone Alarm and it works great. I currently use AVG and it is incredible! Unlike other programs that you have to scan and then find the problem, AVG IMMEDIATELY tells me i have a virus THE MOMENT I OPEN AN INFECTED WEB PAGE OR CLICK AN INFECTED LINK! How is that for coverage! I recommend them both. And they are FREE! You can’t go wrong there.
Thanks for posting this. Great information.
@Chuck:
Thanks! I have had very good results with AVG as well, I had one of the more popular anti-virus programs that you pay for, and it really slowed down my computer. I have not had that problem with AVG.