How Effective Is Free Antivirus And Spyware Software?

The free antivirus programs are most definitely not better than any other. They are passable and decent, but some paid antivirus programs are so much better. Kaspersky is great, as well as Nod32. Twice as good as the free anti-virus programs, but not without a nominal fee. Spyware programs are a different story. Ad Aware, AVG AntiSpyware, Spy ware Doctor, Spybot Search and Destroy, and SuperAntiSpyware are all great free spyware programs.
The most important thing, however, is your behavior. If you behave properly, you don't need any type of antispyware or antivirus programs. The problem is, almost no one on the internet behaves properly these days. In either case, if you aren't willing to pay, I recommend using one of the mentioned free antivirus programs (preferably AVG or Avast) and a couple of the antivirus programs (one of which will be actively blocking spyware, as well as to run full scans of your computer at least once a month. The second will be used for a secondary full spyware scan along with the first.
Also, you should watch your behavior. Do not click links in your email. If you want to go to a URL someone (even someone you know) has sent you, type the URL out in the address bar. Be very careful about downloading anything. You should make absolute sure that it is safe. Some websites can infect your computer by using Active X controls, so also be very careful about what Active X controls you allow when surfing.
Most of the computers are infected because of clicking on the links in popular social networking sites like facebook and myspace. Avoid watching pornography sites since most of the adult sites ask the user to download a codec to view the downloaded video file and spread spyware in the computer.
Most of the computers are also infected because of using P2P Software like Lime wire. Lime wire, infact most P2P software is plagued with spyware/malware, which in turn will mess your system up incredibly. There is an older version of Lime wire which contains no spyware.However, it’s the systems you download music from which will have the major source of Virus' and spyware to help mess up your system and time.
When you download a track from limewire,you do so by downloading it off someone else PC, in turn they could be infected, passing on the infection to you. Also with it being P2P, they will have access to your system and all of the music that you have, not very safe hey!
If you want to download music, I would suggest doing it off a legit music site, like I tunes or HM V for example, this way you’re getting music pretty cheap and staying safe in the process. There are even some sights that for a small sum, let you download as many songs as you want over 28days.
My advice is keeping it safe, even if it’s an old PC you don't really care about. Piracy laws have really been clamped down, and you never know, the officers could come knocking on your door.

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About the Author:

I am working as a technology and security consultant. Checkout the site http://www.geeksjunction.com for details on virus and spyware removal.

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