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Virus Protection – e.g. BitDefender 8 (Standard)
Basically, virus protection identifies and quarantines known viruses on your computer. You can get BitDefender 8 (Standard) at http://www.bitdefender.com/bd/site/products.php?p_id=2# for USD$44.95. It claims to provide
following protection.
- Scans and disinfect infected files on access, minimizing data loss
- Allows you to recover infected documents
- Filters against viruses that spread via instant messaging and file sharing software
- Monitors your file system, registry and Internet activity
- Blocks infected e-mail messages
TIP: Set your virus protection up to do a full system scan every night. (If you choose BitDefender, do this by clicking Antivirus from
left of
main window, then clicking on
Scheduler tab.)
Various Free Utilities
Basically,
following tools grab
things
virus and firewall software miss.
TIP: Update and run each of these utilities at least once a week. You’ll be surprised what you’ll net – especially if you haven’t purchased a full firewall system and anti-virus system.
Conclusion
In my humble opinion, it’s well worth your while to invest in a firewall application and an anti-virus application. There are a few freeware programs out there that claim to do
same job, but in my experience, they don’t quite measure up. And when it comes down to it, they’re so inexpensive – especially in comparison to
cost of downtime and/or computer repairs!
Outpost and BitDefender offer online purchases, and send you a license key in an email, which you then use to download
product. You can pay a little extra for them to send you a CD.
The applications listed above certainly aren’t
only ones available. I’m not even claiming they’re
best. But when used together diligently, you should find you have a lot less trouble with your computer, you’ll have
peace-of-mind of enhanced privacy, and you’ll minimize
risk of lost income due to downtime.
Good luck!

* Glenn Murray is an advertising copywriter and heads copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit http://www.divinewrite.com for further details or more FREE articles.