Freeware PC: Antivirus

OK, so you have your PC up-and-running and now you need to protect it from the viruses that you have to come to expect in email and on the internet. Well, I have tried a couple of different free antiviruses, but my favorite has to be AVG Free. Currently in version 7.5, AVG Free, is a full-featured, yet easy-to-use program.

Beginning with an easy to use console, you will find that AVG Free gives you the ability to do not only full system scans, but also scans of selected files, folders, or entire drives. Also, once installed, you can simply right click on a file and select the “Scan with AVG Free” option and scan your newly downloaded files to ensure that they are safe to open and run.

AVG Free also allows for automatic updating and scheduled scanning, making very easy to keep up-to-date on the latest threats, knowing that you will be protected.

Last, but not least, AVG also allows for real-time protection. So, if you are downloading programs, music, movies, etc. from web sites that are off the beaten path, AVG will catch any of the downloads that have viruses in them.

Overall, AVG Free is a great product that is easy to find, easy to use, and actually works as good as it says it will. If you don’t already have an antivirus running, hurry up and get AVG Free and make sure that you are protected.

The Freeware PC

OK, so I’m a geek. I admit it. Heck, I wear it like a badge of honor. With that said, I don’t have the money to purchase all of the software to do all of the fun things I want to do with the little free time that I have to play around on my home PC. So, as so many do I turned to alternate (cough peer-to-peer cough) sources of software. I was able to locate and install just about any software that I wanted. However, things like viruses, spy-ware, and subscriptions became a bit of a hassle.

Search, download, install, curse the lack of working serials, uninstall, search some more.

It was such a frustrating circle that I have decided to exit the loop. No more searching for the latest, greatest software in the backrooms of the internet hoping I didn’t get busted for pirating. I’ve decided to go legit. What I have decided to do is to create a fully-functioning PC that runs only cost-free, spy-ware-free, virus-free software. The only exception to this rule being the operating system. I don’t really have the time or desire to become proficient enough in Linux to replace my home PC. At least not yet.

Along with the search for the best freeware tools I am going to blog each step of the way. I hope to have a good review of each product I decide to include in the mix along with the links so that you can download it yourself. At the same time, I hope that you will suggest some tools that I may not have run across on my own.

Well, happy reading and I look forward to your comments.