PC Computer Security

If you think your personal data and computer are safe because you have anti-virus software think again. The good news is there are many easy to install free programs you can use to make your computer safer. I will share with you only the programs we use to keep our computers safe.

Many of these vendors have versions of their software for sale. Keeping up with the scumbags that like to attack your computer is hard work you should support these software vendors by buying their software.

Anti-virus Software

AVIRA

These folks make good anti-virus software. They have a free version and a for pay version. They keep up with the latest viruses and automatically keep your computer updated. Checkout their website to get the software.

AVIRA Website

Here is a link to download their free edition.

Download AVIRA AntiVir Personal

I have also used AVAST and like their software as well.

Anti-spyware Software

After all this time spyware is not well understood. These are malicious programs that can enter through your browser and compromise your PC and even are capable of capturing and transmitting you personal data out into the web! They can install malicious programs on your computer, log what you type, use your computer to transmit spam. Concerned? You better be!

I have yet to find one anti-spyware program that can do it all. There are a number of free ones that we use that do the trick.

Spyware Terminator

This is the main program we use. The #1 feature of this program is that it protects your computer "real-time" from spyware, malware, and other malicious programs. If you are at a website that tries to install a program on your machine you will be prompted to either allow or block the progrma.

Download here. Spyware Terminator. You will need to update from their site (which you can do directly from the program) once you install it.

Lavasoft Adaware

We use this in concert with Spyware Terminator. This will find ad-ware and other spyware that the other program might miss. As I said earlier, there is a great deal of malicious stuff out there and the web is a vast place. No one company can find and remove everything.

Ad-Aware Website

McAfee Site Advisor

If you use Google or Yahoo or MSN this program will give you a rating as to the relative safety of the site. Staying away from red sites (sites with spyware, or sites that spam you after you register) will keep you safer from spyware. Prevention worth a pound of cure.

Download here. McAfee Site Advisor.

File Security

CYPHERIX LE

A super secure encrytion program that allows you to create a Windows folder and turn it into a Fort Knox location for your files. The free version is limited to 25mb which for most applications is more than enough. Do not forget your password once you set it up because if you do you WILL NOT be getting back in!!! Download here. You can also use this with USB drives (of course you need the software installed on all the computers you plan on using the drive on). Download at Cypherix Website