By Jon Loyd

Wizards Computer Repair

Angier NC

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

Do I need an Antivirus?Do you need an antivirus?

The short answer is YES.

The more complicated answer depends on your operating system (OS)

Windows: Definitely Yes.Windows is the OS is targeted by over 90% of viruses

OS X: Maybe. Macs are not usually the target of viruses but that may change in the future.

Linux: Not unless you run a file sharing server.

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

Why Do I Need an AntivirusAntiviruses help provide protection from malicious software.

They help to maximize your computer’s performance by preventing unnecessary background processes.

Antiviruses help protect your dataEverything you enter into your computer

Everything you view on your screen

Passwords

Financial data

Irreplaceable photos and documents

Music and videos

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

What Are All These Shields?Antiviruses come loaded with multiple special shields devoted to adding extra protection to certain areas of your computer. Some are less useful than others.

• The Shields you need.• File system shield• Real time protection• Behavioral shield• Email shield

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Free vs Paid Antiviruses?Free antiviruses

Free packages use the same antivirus engine as the paid packages.

Free antiviruses often subject users to advertising for a paid antivirus solution.

Paid packages

Offer additional protection such a firewalls, additional shields, and blocking unwanted programs.

Often require a subscription that has to be paid every year of updates stop.

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

How Many Antiviruses Do I Need?One – Enough said.

If one is better wouldn’t two or three be better – No.

Antiviruses hook deep into the operating system and do there job best when there is only one antivirus on board.

Multiple antiviruses running at the same time can create poor performance, software conflicts, and hinder security more than they help.

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

Great Free AntivirusesAvast

Boot Time Scan – Scans Windows at boot time. Great for getting hard to find viruses

• Great Protection that works on almost any operating system.

• One of the highest detection rates in the industry

• http://www.avast.com/index

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

Great Free AntivirusesBitdefender

Installs in about a minute

Simple interface: There are no special settings to tweak; just a small popup in the tool bar.

Works well on XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Sorry Vista users.

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

Great Free AntivirusesMicrosoft Security Essentials (MSE)

Full featured antivirus provided free of charge, by Microsoft.

For Windows 8/8.1 it was included as part of the Windows Defender

There are no annoying popups and advertisements for a “Pro” product.

MSE: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5201

Windows Defender (Win 8+): You already have it, you just have to turn it on.

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Activating Windows DefenderInstructions for Windows 8 / 8.1

Press the start key

Type defender

When Windows Defender appears in the sidebar, click on Windows Defender

Click the setting tab

Check the box that read “Turn on real time protection (recommended).”

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

Referenceshttp://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/features/security/3418367/do-apple-macs-need-antivirus-os-x-security-explained/

http://www.avast.com/index

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5201

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/turn-windows-defender-on-off#turn-windows-defender-on-off=windows-7

Wizards Computer Repair, Angier, NC 27501

http://www.wizardscomputer.com

Image Referenceshttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Avast_free_Antivirus.png

http://pixabay.com/p-152796/?no_redirect

https://openclipart.org/image/300px/svg_to_png/170522/1339317289.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/archive/d/d7/20130725093055!Microsoft_Security_Essentials_icon.png

http://www.mashinglab.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/bitdefender_2561.png

http://www.wizardscomputer.com