The last decade has brought an era of fear. Fear of viruses, spyware, and other potentially harmful intrusions of your personal computer has spread amongst computer users. Currently, most threats can be avoided with a keen eye and a few small, free programs. I have gotten by for almost two years now without any problems and without the need for expensive software that drains system resources. Today I will share my solution, with hopes that you can find success with it. All of these programs can be safely downloaded from Cnet’s Download.com.

AVG Free Edition

The free version of AVG offers acceptable virus protection with a good feature set. You are given more control over the settings of the software than other antivirus programs and it doesn’t use an extraordinary amount of system resources. Software and virus definition updates are provided daily, which are quick and unobtrusive when you first connect to the internet. You can schedule full system scans to run at your convenience. If an infected file is found, it can be quarantined or removed.

Spybot – Search & Destroy

One of the most popular and effective ways to detect and remove spyware and similar issues is Spybot – Search and Destroy. This program was recommended to me by fellow TatStore blogger Benn Wolfe. After trying it out, I found that Spybot it does its job well. It has quick and frequent updates and like AVG, it doesn’t demand a lot from your system resources. I would run system scans as you see fit or if you notice any problems or changes with your system. Both Spybot and Ad-Aware search for Spyware and though both work well, in all actuality you only really need one. Try them out, see what you like, and make a decision for yourself.

Other Ways to Protect Yourself

There are other ways to protect yourself from internet threats. One of the best ways is to use Mozilla Firefox, which is the most secure browser available, not to mention the numerous other benefits. I have previously mentioned CCleaner, which is a great way to delete temporary files and speed up your computer. However, the best way to prevent harmful downloads is to examine the websites you visit. Make cautious decisions and never agree to download something you did not seek to download.