Computer and Laptop Supply, Upgrade and Repair Service

Telephone 01626 824826

Email: support@ittrade.co.uk

*Servicing Devon’s TQ12 & TQ13 Postcodes

We are often asked what programs we use to keep our systems up and running and what we recommend to users with limited ability especially when it comes to Anti-Virus and Internet Security.

Keeping it simple, you get what you pay for. Dont expect free programs you find around the web to do the same job as a program supported by paid professionals.

The best Anti Virus and Internet Security we believe in is Kaspersky Internet Security 2010

Complete protection against the latest threats. Includes antivirus, antispyware, antispam, a personal firewall, parental controls, and protection from hackers all in one easy to use solution.

One thing to remember is no antivirus system stops 100% of viri, there are hundreds released every year and there is always a space of time from the viri being released and the time it takes the programmers to a) find out about them and b) program a solution, but Kaspersky does hourly updates rather than daily or even longer with some makes.

Can you put two antivirus solutions on your system?

The short answer to this is No! Basically, the two programs will fight each other and have detrimental effects on most occasions.

What about Spyware, Keyloggers etc etc

Kaspersky will catch the majority but we recommend having a backup system, there are some free programs that you can use as a precaution from Superantispyware and Spybot Search and Destroy. For a beginner or intermediate use we would also suggest you download ccleaner (with two c's), this is a safe program for getting rid of all the clutter on your system and also removing obsolete registry entries, a must have for any system.

Malware Detection

We also suggest spending £20 and running Malwarebytes Anti Malware along side your virus scanner. This is not a Virus detection program, it is purely designed to spot suspicious internet sites and malware, physically blocking you from entering any site it sees as a risk. This software also has a knack of catching nasties that elude virus detection scanning and is highly recommended

Above all, remember these rules to protect yourself

• Install Antivirus software, update regularly, and scan your full system at least once a week.
• Do regular backups. If you contract a virus it may be the only way to recover your data. Ideally, you should backup your entire system on a regular basis, however if this is not practical, at least backup files that you can’t afford to lose or that would be difficult to replace: documents, bookmark files, address books, important emails, etc.
• When possible, avoid e-mail attachments both when sending and receiving e-mail.
• Never open email attachments with the file extensions VBS, SHS, or PIF. These extensions are almost never used in normal attachments but they are frequently used by viruses and worms.
• Never open attachments with double file extensions such as NAME.BMP.EXE or NAME.TXT.VBS.
• Disconnect your network or modem cable when you’re not using your computer, or just power it down
• If you feel that an e-mail you get from a friend is strange (if it is a foreign language or it just says odd things) double check with the friend before opening any attachments
• When you receive e-mail advertisements or unsolicited e-mail, do not open attachments
• Avoid attachments with sexual file names
• Do not trust the icons of attachment file. Worms often use executable files which have an icon resembling icons of picture, text, or archive files to fool the user
• Never accept attachments from strangers in online chat systems such as IRC, ICQ, or AOL Instant Messenger
  Avoid using floppies to exchange information between computers