Many years ago with the advent of microcomputers we a had no idea of the fact that tiny little processes called VIRUSES, working in the background of our PC operating systems and in most cases controlling the effects of the operating system would dominate the way programming code is written and designed for ever. With this threat to your personal files and hard work being destroyed, a solution was needed to combat and defend against virus infections spreading to every PC in every corner of the globe. If this were to happen it would cause networks of all shapes and sizes to come to a grinding halt. Your obvious answer here would be Antivirus software.

Antivirus software is the perfect solution with only one problem. It needs to be updated quite regularly due to the ever changing and adapting of virus strains. Many people believe that you buy a PC which has pre-installed anti virus software on it. You then go on the NET and don't have to worry about a thing, that's where your wrong and that's when your PC is going to suffer.

Your anti-virus software is working at its best when it has its drive engine and index definitions up to date. Think about it, what good is your anti virus software to you when it is scanning and monitoring viruses that where designed six months ago? Your software can only compare to what is in its database and if that is out of date, every virus that has been developed prior to its last update (lets stay on six months)will be simply ignored and not picked up.

I have a Network+ and A+ Certification and I have seen all sorts of problems arising from not updating your software. However, there is a new killer in town which acts differently than other viruses, its called SPYWARE and ADWARE. You must have seen these types of symptoms before, well at least one.

1 PC running slower than usual.
2 Pop-ups.
3 Overall degraded performance.
4 Rerouting your internet browser to undesired web sits.
5 Advertising slogans and software that has been installed on your pc without your permission.

These are all signs of SPYWARE and Adware. This type of software gets into your system and takes up your computers resources. Not only does it effect the overall performance ,it can send back very personal detailed information about your history on the NET and bank details. Do I need to say anymore?

Having the proper software to counteract this type of threat is equally important and people fail to believe this.

Do yourself and your PC a favour and get your hands on the products below. I use these all the time and they work.

AD-AWARE Personnel it is free.
Spybot this is also free.
MacAfee anti virus this product retails at a reasonable price.