PC Security Software

If you're one of those people who doesn't think about computer security, and don't bother keeping upto date with antivirus subscriptions or don't have any antivirus software, you're asking for trouble. You will get trouble sooner or later - in the form of system instability (i.e slow PC and endless crashes), your PC being turned into a spam relay churning out millions of spam emails, identity theft, which is likely to cost you financially.

If you also use peer to peer networks for downloading - which are notorious for proliferating malware of all kinds - you will get trouble sooner, in fact your PC will probably already be infested with malware.

Job number one - run an online antivirus scan like this one from f-secure

If it discovers malware of somekind, there is a good chance there is more that it hasn't discovered. Online antivirus scanners are the last resort and are no substitute for a good security set up on your PC. There is also the possiblity that a nasty virus or rootkit (which hides the actions of a virus, making it hard or impossible to remove) will go undetected.

Malware on an unprotected PC can prove hard to remove even for an experienced technician. If you are unsure (virus removal can get get complex and messy) don't be shy of hiring a professional rather than struggling. That way you stand a good chance of getting a virus free PC back without losing your temper - it will cost money, but it will save you time and headaches!

Once you have the all clear, choose some the best antivirus software or Internet security software you can and keep it all clear.

If your PC is virus free (or new), then the easy part can begin. Research and choose some antivirus software. Read the reviews at somewhere like amazon.com and follow the wisdom of the crowd to help you choose.

My own opinion is that Norton 2011 is currently the best around, closely followed by Kaspersky 2011. Norton used to make dreadful, resource hogging software, but they must've listened to criticism because they are probably the best of the bunch right now.

The other better option is to get a full Internet security suite. Antivirus software will keep your PC free of spyware and virues, etc - and that should be enough for anyone with some computer and internet savvy. However if you consider that there are gullible or reckless people in your family - i.e. children and old folks(!), you may just want to be sure you have covered everything for you own peace of mind - then another layer or two of security might be desirable.

In addition to built in antivirus features, for example you may want:

• A firewall to hide your PC from intrusion via the internet
  
• Spam filters
  
• Antiphishing protection
  
• Parental internet controls to keep your "little cherubs" from seeing anything they're not ready for! (And spying on their online activities).
  
• Real-time protection against harmful files that may enter the system via email or some type of memory device.
  
• Warnings when potentially unsafe websites are encountered.
  

Do your own research on the various options for internet security software find out more by reading reviews left by real users. Basically, just see which Internet security software site has the best reviews.

Certainly some kind of internet parental controls are definitely required to help keep accessibility of inappropriate web content to a minimum - in fact, if there are websites you don't want to see yourself you can filter that type of content - you can curb the type of websites that can or cannot be seen or the times they are or are not available within your household.

Further more you can control if or when particular programs are allowed to be run, e.g. any games, or games that have an unlawful age rating for youger family members. Personal computer access can be regulated so that a child can only log on to the family PC at specified times of the day and for controlled amounts of time.

It puts the parent in control at all times, and helps to automate the regime so you don't have to be supervising your kids internet or PC usage constantly.

Read more about parental internet controls and Windows parental controls - also find reviews and recommendations for both.