Why, Why, Why!!!

Why are there people who create viruses and malware? There are a varity of reasons, and none of them are good.

• Steal information from your computer (passwords, credit card numbers, personal information).
• Use your computer for something else (like sending spam or attacking a company).
• Prove that it can be done.
• Gain access to a company network.
• To cause harm to a network or company.

Virus Software

What is virus software and how does it work.

Best Free Anti-Virus Software

Check your internet provider

Avast

http://www.avast.com/index

Microsoft Security Essentialls
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

AVG

http://free.avg.com

Anti-Spyware and Malware Software

Most of the commercial anti-virus software comes with malware, spyware, and trojan protection. Normally this is enought to protect your system (if you keep them up to date). Occassionally, something bad will get though and your virus software won't be able to clean it up. This is when you can run standalone anti-spyware and malware removal software.

In the past I've used the following free software utilities to clean up computers (I downloaded the free version):

• Ad-Aware by Lavasoft
• Malwarebytes Malwarebytes

There are many others that may perform quite well for you. These just happen to be two that I know work.