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Free Virus Scans
Best done with The Internet
Explorer Browser.
Computer Associates, a
reputable and reliable anti virus developer introduced a new free program
which allows anyone to do a virus scan without downloading any software
or registering for an anti virus program. You must use Internet Explorer
for access to Computer Associates and to perform the scan. This is
a good one and very simple to operate The address is http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Trend Micro, more commonly referred
to as Housecall, offers free virus scans and in most cases can fix
damage down by a virus or worm that your computer may have contacted.
The program works well. The first time one uses the free program
it is necessary to download a small program. Trend Micro walks you through
the process. Then the virus scans are quite simple for each
return. Go to http://housecall.antivirus.com/
then choose the link "Scan without registering". Follow
the directions.
You should disable any anti virus program that
you have running. If you do not have a virus program I recommend
that you use one of the programs offered above first and then download
and install one of the free programs listed below or install any anti virus
program you have purchased.
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Free Anti Virus
programs for download. Quite a few KCnet
members use these programs and like them.
Be careful if you download a virus program
and you already have one installed on your computer. You need to
at least disable the program already installed.
AVG Free
AVG Free Edition is the well-known anti-virus
protection tool. AVG Free is available free-of-charge to home users for
the life of the product! Rapid virus database updates are available for
the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high-level of detection
capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their
computers. AVG Free is easy-to-use and will not slow your system down (low
system resource requirements).
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5
Avast
Avast has been "anti virusing" for quite awhile.
The following info comes from their download page: Avast! Home
is now free of charge for HOME users for NON-COMMERCIAL use. You can find
more info here.
http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html
Note: This product is free for home non-commercial
use after registration!
HINTS: Click
on the English Version Link and download the installation file. Then
click on the installation file and follow the directions. You will
need to return to the download page and click on the link to get the registration
key. It will be sent to you in an email after you provide some
registration information. This will give you 14 months of coverage
including any updates which can be set to auto download. You can
reregister for additional free coverage at the end of the 14 months.
You will want to browse around and choose
from the many options available for operation. This process will
take some time and digging.
Another good free program is:
http://www.free-av.com/
This one installs a bit easier
than Avast.
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Free Spybot/Adware programs for
download
Microsoft has what most think
to be the best of the Anti Spyware programs, Microsoft Anti Spyware Beta.
(Free at this time) It is a Beta version, still in testing, only
works with XP though.
Download the beta of our new
anti-spyware software today
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Spybot - Search & Destroy
1.4 - product description
Application to scan for spyware,
adware, hijackers and other malicious software.
Choose one of the sites to download
from.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
Ad-Aware Personal provides advanced
protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialers,
malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components. This software is downloadable
free of charge.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
The table below lists the top
5 virus and malware files submitted to Computer Associates during the week
from March 13, 2006, to March 19, 2006.
1. Win32.Netsky.P
2. Win32/Blackmal.F!CME24
3. Win32.Mytob.AW
4. Win32.Lovgate.AB
5. Win32.Mytob.KM
True Viruses and Warning Letters
of Impending Doom.
Believe it or not, the amount of harm done
by sending false computer virus alarms and letters of impending doom to
your thousand closest friends can be just as damaging as the alleged virus
(if it even exists!); if you remember the story of the boy who cried
wolf, you understand why.
If you think you've got the scoop on the latest
new devastating virus or latest doom warning, check it out at the Web sites
below before taking it on yourself to alert the world. If the virus
is as terrible as you think it is, odds are the virus fighters already
know about it and -- good news here! -- your anti virus software
provider probably knows about it too and already has an update for it.
Sophos supplies this current information about
actual hoaxes. Look at them. Read about them. If you are sent
one of them, delete it.
Here are a few sites of many
that can help you determine if an email is a hoax or real.
http://www.snopes.com/
http://vil.nai.com/VIL/hoaxes.asp
http://kumite.com/myths/
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html
http://www.scambusters.org/VirusHoaxes.html
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/hoaxes/
http://www.truthorfiction.com/
http://www.quatloos.com/
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