Top 5 Free Antivirus Software to Protect Your Computer

Antivirus software plays an essential role in protecting your computer from a vast array of viruses, worms, Trojans, AdWares, spywares, browser hijackers, keyloggers, ransonwares, rootkits & backdoors, which are just lurking in the World Wide Web. Anyone who goes online-- may it be surfing the Web, using email client software, using chat applications, or other online-based programs are vulnerable to threats and could get potentially infected with different types of viruses. For the past few years, new computers already come with pre-installed antivirus software for temporary security. However, these security programs are just trial versions, which eventually expire and leaves the computer unprotected. It is then the users’ responsibility to install a good antivirus program on their computers if they want to keep their computers clean and secured. Most users may not purchase an antivirus software for a new computer due to the fact that they’ve already spent money for the device itself. You don’t have to worry though, because there are a lot of free alternatives out there. I’ve listed the top 5 free antivirus programs that you can take advantage of.

Avast Free Antivirus

The software has a very straightforward installation process and has simplistic interface that makes it user friendly. A quick first scan should detect any potential threats on your computer with just minimal impact on the system performance. Avast have the most features compared to other free antivirus software with full real-time capabilities including e-mail, web, P2P, IM, network shields, behavioural blocker and boot-time scanning. Avast Free also has some useful extra features, too. It has a Software Updater that alerts you about program updates that you've missed, for instance, while its Browser Cleanup tool provides a simple way to get rid of unwanted and malicious add-ons from web browsers. Check it here.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

This is also a good choice for a free antivirus because it has a good range of features: an email scanner, identity theft protection, antivirus engine, and LinkScanner Surf-Shield to keep you safe on the Web. The interface may seem to be complex at first glance because there are plenty of tiles, menu entries, and buttons, though you will eventually get used to it. Based on actual test, AVG Free is very effective in cleaning up a computer from malware infections. Check it here.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition

It is recently released free software from the famous commercial antivirus. This software also offers user friendly solution because of its minimalistic interface. The fact that the engine is the same as the commercial version makes it an excellent virus protection software. Check it here.

Panda Cloud Antivirus

Panda Cloud Antivirus is a great choice for average users with simple interface and automated features with automatic updating, detection, and removal of malware. The detection level is absolutely high, which makes very reliable. It also uses 'cloud' technology to provide a much quicker release & installation of updates because all definitions are already stored in the cloud. Therefore, the moment Panda updates their list, all users of Panda Cloud Antivirus with an Internet connection are protected from threats. Check it here.

Avira AntiVir Personal Edition

Avira AntiVir Personal Edition is another good quality free antivirus program. The program has been famous because of its outstanding detection rates of malware, higher than almost every other antivirus according to tests. Though the interface may look a little complicated for average users, it still remains a very capable and effective security program. Check it here.


_________________________________________
By: Heroine Lloyd Barcatan

About the author: Heroine has been in the tech support industry for more than 5 years now and most of it spent at Supportrix. Aside from being an awesome tech support engineer, she love writing blogs and creating knowledge base articles.

Devices and Gadgets That Can Also Be Hacker Friendly

There are countless devices nowadays that can be used and operated using WiFi or Bluetooth connection, which most technically-inclined users can consider as practical and convenient in their day-to-day lives. But do you know that they can also be used as a means of making you or your personal information vulnerable to hacking? Below are some simple and not-so-simple devices you did not know can also be penetrated by hackers.

Home Security Systems

Home electronic security system, if installed incorrectly, can make your home more susceptible to technically-skilled intruders than it was without it installed. With the growing number of companies manufacturing security systems for residential use, it all depends on how secure the system can provide. Smart thieves can lift or unlock the code using a stolen smartphone, or secretly tap the wireless signal from a distance when you open your door. Once they obtain your security code, they'll wait for a chance when you're not at home, then unlock your security with ease, and proceed in robbing your house. If you are using one of these home security systems, make sure you have set the strongest password possible. Also, be cautious of any onlookers or bystanders that may be watching your activities at home, and report them immediately.

Medical Implants

Even medical implants are not exempted in the hacking industry. A researcher who attended the recently-held Black Hat convention in Las Vegas demonstrated how hacking can be done thru the wireless signals transmitted by automatic insulin pumps implanted inside a human body. A few years ago, a group of researchers also discovered how to shut down a pacemaker via remote control. According to Dr. Kevin Fu, associate professor in Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, hackers can use a wireless interface to utilize another computer or device to change the settings on a medical device to infuse insulin or control the defibrillation of a heart. Because of this, manufacturers are now looking for ways on how to secure these devices to prevent unauthorized alteration that may cause heart attacks and worse, death.

Garage Door Openers

Similar to home electronic security systems, garage door openers can also be easily hacked by anyone who has a smartphone. The security code that is being transmitted wirelessly can be obtained by thieves thru the use of smartphones, while others go with the conventional way of using wires. So make sure not to leave your garage door open for a long period of time or have someone watch the garage door for you against any suspicious-looking people.

Portable Gaming Gadgets

Older electronic gaming devices such as the first generation Nintendo DS that works only with WEP-enabled wireless networks can also be a medium for attracting hackers to your network. Make sure that your home network uses WPA security standard, instead of WEP, which is the poorest form of wireless security. Hackers can easily determine the password and once they established a connection to your network, they can access all your shared files and information in a blink of an eye. So make sure your child is not using anymore these hand-me-down gaming devices wirelessly.

Old Baby Monitors

Beware of buying second-hand almost-obsolete baby monitors. This harmless-looking device can also be hacked by tapping into its video and audio feeds by anyone who could receive its channel frequency. If you're planning to get one, get the newer models that have several channel frequencies or better yet, WiFi connection so it will be more difficult for unauthorized persons to connect to its frequency or signal.

Personal GPS Locators

These small gadgets that allow parents to track their children can also be considered dangerous to your kid's safety, if not equipped with the proper security features. Researchers have demonstrated how one common GPS tracking device is hacked and was able to follow its user. Make sure to get one that has a security feature to keep your child safe, including you.

Traffic Lights

Have you seen some scenes in a movie wherein a tech geek manipulated the street traffic lights to turn all green using his super power computer? Well, that is actually possible. Receivers on street lights can communicate through infrared transmission, which is usually done by emergency, police, and fire vehicles so that they can immediately change the traffic light to go all green. Unfortunately, highly-technical people can also build such kind of infrared transmission to control the traffic lights, either for prank or criminal purposes.