Most of our new computer support clients come to us because their computer is infected with viruses or spyware. We have seen a definite trend with those clients:
- They haven't learned how to safely navigate the Internet and/or email
- They have inferior protection software
- They aren't routinely running scans
(Note: that even with good practices and good software, you can still get hit)
So what is good software - systems that don't end up at our doorstep for cleaning!
Inferior Software
- Free protection - you get what you pay for
- Those companies with inadequate or slow research to discover and fix a threat:
Good Software
- Symantec Endpoint (good antivirus, but the jury is out on anti-spyware)
- AVG - purchased (not my choice but those systems don't show up at our door)
- MalwareBytes (good anti-spyware but use it with SpyBot for 100% success)
- SpyBot Search and Destroy (not as good as it used to be, but with MalwareBytes, it does the job)
(Note: With good computer practices, I don't find that Anti-spyware software needs to be running for real-time protection. I run full scans periodically and as soon as I think I've caught something)
Viruses, spyware, and the software to protect against them is changing all the time, so what is good today may not be tomorrow. However, above all others over the years, Symantec and their timely releases have been a solid winner for anti-virus.
Please participate in our simple poll about your favorite software