Download Microsoft Security Essentials
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_essentials/
Tips for avoiding Malware and Virus infections.
What is the Best Anti Virus Software?
Glen Houting:
Many computer users are begining to feel as if the "cure" offered by Anti Virus products, is worse than the problems they are trying to prevent. In the case of Anti-Virus software these complaints are well founded. Security Software can be expensive, over-complicated, and can cause your computer to slow down or seize just as badly as the viruses themselves. With the number of fake websites and pop-ups advertising fraudulent “anti-virus” or “PC Tune-Up” software, themselves viruses in sheep’s clothing, it can be difficult for the average users to know whom to trust and whom to be wary of.
I’ve tested Microsoft Security Essentials across a number of systems running Windows XP, Vista, and 7, and now Windows 8, on systems both sick and healthy, and I find it works very well, detecting and eliminating viruses and malware, and leaving nothing behind for other comparable anti-virus packages to find. However, because I don’t have access to a computer virus lab to perform conclusive tests, I must defer to the results of security organizations that do. AV-Test.org has released the first set of such results, subjecting Microsoft Security Essentials to a collection of samples of more than half a million known viruses, worms, backdoors, bots, and Trojans. It was successful in detecting 98.44% of those samples. They also subjected it almost 13,000 known ad-ware and spyware programs, and again Microsoft’s software passed with flying colors, detecting 90.95 %.
These tests also revealed a clear advantage for Microsoft as their software delivered no false positives. This is when anti-virus software accidentally mistakes a section of code with Windows or Microsoft Office to be a virus itself. Clearly Microsoft knows their own products well enough to keep their own anti-virus software from making this mistake. As a slight weakness, the virus lab tests showed that Microsoft’s program had trouble detecting viruses based on suspicious displays of dynamic behavior. This is comparable with other free anti-virus software, such as AVG or Avast, that also share the same difficulty. Another advantage for Microsoft is the simplicity of their software. There are just four menu screens to visit, each presented with clear instructions and simple options. You can schedule and perform scans, check for updates, and specify how you want detected files handled (removed or quarantined). Most of the settings you need never change.
What is lacking are all the added features included in paid anti-virus suites. These can include additional security tools for combating phishing and other web-based threats, monitoring software for families, and “tune-up” utilities designed to keep your computer organized and efficient.
There is great debate within the industry as to whether all these extras are really needed or if they merely cause more harm through confusion, complexity and extra processing demands.
I argue against the extras. Computer security has come a long way over the years and the home computer is no longer the first line of defense. Internet Service Providers and IT Departments now run security software across their networks, routers provide hardware-based firewalls, web-based e-mail services such as Gmail now include scanning of attachments, web browsers include their own pop-up blockers and anti-phishing features, plus Windows itself includes both a software-based firewall and anti-spyware application with Windows Defender. Add to that the constant flow of Windows Updates designed to block the exploits used by many viruses, and most of the security is already in place. Without buying Anti-Virus software, you already have extras on your computer.
All that any home user “needs” is a program that can detect and remove viruses and malware and Microsoft Security Essentials does an excellent job. This is why I have made the decision to recommend this product for all my customers.