Free AntiVirus and AntiSpyware Software

Computers running Windows seem to have virus and spyware problems quite often. When fixing other peoples computers, I have found these free options to be very useful.

Free Windows Anti Virus Software

ClamWin Free Antivirus
http://www.clamwin.com

ClamWin is a Free Antivirus program for Microsoft Windows 7 / Vista / XP / Me / 2000 / 98 and Windows Server 2008 and 2003.

avast! Free Antivirus
http://www.avast.com


Free Anti-Adware / Anti-Spyware Information

Some of this Windows software is offered as a free version, with an option to upgrade. Generally, the free version is enough to clean any problems, but has to be run manually.

Ad-Aware – check for updates, and run occasionally
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Spy Bot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org

Malwarebytes
http://www.malwarebytes.org

Malwarebyes Anti-Malware is often the best tool to remove fake anti-virus software.

More adware stuff here: http://www.cexx.org

Behavioral Advertizing Opt Out

Have you noticed that certain types of ads appear after you visited a particular website? That is called Behavioral Advertising, and is usually done by storing cookies on your computer.

The Network Advertising Initiative has to offer the ability to opt-out. Go to their website, and select opt out.

http://www.networkadvertising.org

You may be surprised at how many active cookies you have.

Another place to opt out:
http://tellapart.com/other/faqs


Browsers also have options to clear the cache, and history, but you may not want to clear all history and cookies, since they can make browsing your favorites sites easier. You may have to opt out again after clearing cookies.

Other Notes

People generally think of viruses when a computer starts acting strange, or starts running slower, but there are all kinds of bad programs known as malware. These include worms, trojans, rootkits, rouges, dialers, spyware, viruses, etc. It may be useful to search the internet on those terms when attempting to clean a computer. Your computer may be used to store someone's illegally copied files.

There are plenty of other software options, but many do not offer a fully functional free version. Free trials are not as good, in my opinion. Some of the major anti-virus publishers offer free scanning tools as well, so it can be helpful to check their sites for the latest offers.

Remember, when all else fails, you can always re-install Windows. Or better yet, upgrade to Linux :-).