Vladimir Jirasek

We all hate viruses. So when doctors tell us to get a jab we usually follow the advice. What if someone else, not a doctor, told to get a preventive jab and tried to sell you it on the street? Would you buy it and use it? I guess not!
It’s a virus...
Computer viruses work the same way. They are here to attack us and steal our money and we need to fight them by using proper antivirus software. But would you buy such software from some dodgy person you have never met? Unfortunately this is exactly what many people do.
There have been a number of incidents where a computer virus presented itself as a legitimate anti-virus software. When users accepted the offer they got rogue software installed on their computer. This then demanded a ransom to clean their computer. On some occasions such software rendered all user’s precious documents and pictures unusable.
Users must pay or never see their documents again!
One of the examples of such software is Personal antivirus (see the picture below)
I have seen this one on several computers. Users were pressured to install it when browsing some internet pages.
Don’t click now!
How can you protect yourselves? The best way is to never click in a popup window that appears when browsing the Internet.
Next best is to run a reputable antivirus software. How do you know which one? There are some free options, and we all love free stuff, don’t we?

Freebies
Option one: If you run a Windows operating system XP, Vista or new Windows 7 you can download, free of charge, Microsoft Security Essentials from this link http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/. I think this is tbe free option for all Windows users. This new software will not distract you with excessive messages and still protects your computer from nasty stuff.
Option two: If you bank with some high street banks, you can use their offer for all on-line customers.
One offers Kaspersky Internet Security 2010, which has received outstanding reviews. It even helps to protect your kids on-line by setting what pages they can access.
Another offers McAfee Virus Scan plus, also very good software.
Finally, if you buy new computer, it usually comes with a trial license preinstalled for 3 months after which you are asked to pay annual subscription fee. I advise you to consider the options above before you take your credit card from your wallet.