How to protect your computer from viruses

How to protect your computer from viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans, keyloggers, hijackers and other malware?

When a computer is connected to the internet, it is exposed to a large number of online threats – they can be in any form, for example: Viruses, Spyware, Malware, Trojans,Adwares, Dialers, and Rootkits etc. The only way to protect your computer from these online threats is to – well, firstly make sure your Operating System (Windows XP/Vista/7 etc) is properly updated.

Then, get yourself a valid anti-virus and anti-spyware program. You will have to pay for some of them but many of them are also available for free. So go for the free ones if you do not wish to pay but you need to make sure that you have at least and only ONE proper anti-virus and anti-spyware program in your computer and that they are properly updated. If you are using a valid (licensed) copy of Windows Operating System (like Windows XP, Vista, 7 etc.) just make sure that you have turned on “Automatic Updates” in your computer and then download and install Microsoft Security Essentials. It is a free anti-virus and anti-spyware from Microsoft and works pretty well.

To give you an idea what we are talking about, let me define each of these terms very briefly:

Spyware: It is a piece of software that obtains information about you from your computerwithout your permission. These programs are capable of collecting many types of information like your browsing habits, personal information about yourself and whatever else it is programmed to and it sends this information to different people.

Malware: Anything other than Viruses can be called Malware – these are Malicious software which are designed to operate in your computer without your knowledge/permission.

Trojans (Trojan Horses):- These are software programs that appear to do something legitimate but in fact carry out a different and most often Malicious function.

Dialers: These are programs that dial out to premium numbers, using your dialup or ISDN connection, without your permission (or knowledge).

Viruses: We’ve heard this many times before – a computer virus is a program that is designed to replicate itself (make copies of itself) in your computer without your knowledge. After it replicates itself it carries out harmful activities in your computer which could result in damage to applications in your computer or even the Operating system itself. It also ‘infects’ other computers if you share removable media like floppy disks, Pen drives etc.

Rootkits: These are software that hide their presence from the infected computers administrators and anti-virus/anti-spyware software and provide administrator access to themselves. Rootkits can be anything – spyware, adware, viruses, trojans etc and can be designed to alter your computers system and/or log files, monitor keystrokes and network traffic. Rootkits have their origins in Unix computers but are now prevalent in Windows computers as well.

Also remember to Turn On the Firewall in your Computer.

So, let’s get back to the original question – How do you protect yourself from all these Viruses/Spyware and Malware?

To answer that, let me provide you with a few links from where you can get some free applications that would help protect your computer:

How to protect your computer	From Microsoft
Free AVG	Free anti-virus & anti-spyware
Free Avast!	Free anti-virus & anti-spyware
Spybot (Search & Destroy)	Free anti-virus
MalwareBytes	Free anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware
SuperAntiSpyware	Detects and removes spyware, adware, trojans, rootkits, dialers, worms, keyloggers, hijackers, parasites and other rogue security products and malware
Trojan Remover	Trojan Remover not only detects Malware files but automatically removes them, without the need to use DOS or SAFE mode
HitMan Pro	Hitman Pro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti virus software, firewalls, etc.).
CCleaner	Cleans and speeds up your computer
Rootkit Revealer  V 1.71	From Microsoft Technet
Aries Rootkit Remover	Lavasoft’s ARIES Rootkit Remover is a reliable, stand-alone tool.
Advanced System Care	Advanced SystemCare Free has a one-click approach to help protect, repair, clean and optimize your PC for free.
Norton Anti-Virus	They offer a 30 day trial of their products
Microsoft Security Essentials	Free anti-virus and anti-spyware application from Microsoft. It can only be used on computers running a properly licensed copy of Windows XP, Vista or 7
McAfee Anti-virus	They offer a 30 day trial of their anti-virus and internet-security product.

For your computer to be reasonably secure (there is no such thing as 100% secure when you are connected to the internet) make sure you have a good (fully working, fully updated) anti-virus and anti-spyware program. They do not necessarily have to be paid ones – you can get them for free too (as mentioned above).

But remember not to overdo it – you do not have to download and install each and every free or paid anti-virus or anti-spyware application (as most people often do). It will only result in slowing down and finally crashing your computer! Talk to your friends, check out the online forums and then download and install just one anti-virus and one anti-spyware application. That’s the simple formula to keep your computer safe, healthy and happy!

If you have the inclination (& the money) to go for paid software, please do. But whichever program you choose to use, remember to update them regularly and scan your computer as often as possible.