Tips for keeping your computer virus free.

The first line of defense in keeping your computer running fast and healthy is a good anti-virus program. While having an anti-virus program installed will be a much greater help than having nothing at all, there really is no completely fail safe method for keeping viruses out.

There are many anti-virus programs to choose from. Some are paid programs and others are free. Many of the free programs do just as fine of a job as the paid programs do. Keep in mind however that some of the free programs do not scan for things such as root kits.

Here is a list of some anti-virus programs to consider. All of these can be researched on Google.

Avast! (my personal favorite)
AVG
Avira
BitDefender
Computer Associates
ESET NOD32
F-Secure
Kaspersky
McAfee
Norton Anti-Virus
Panda
Trend Micro
Windows Live Onecare

If you intend on purchasing an anti-virus program, it is best to research them a bit before committing to the purchase. By doing this you can better decide what is best for you and your computer. Free programs can be tested hands on since you don't have to worry about no being able to return the software if you don't like it.

There are many "rogue" programs that disguise themselves as anti-virus programs when they actually a virus themselves. Some to definitely keep away from are AntiVirus2008, Antivirus2009, AntiVirusPro and a new one making the rounds, AntiVirus2010. If you happen to find a program not on this list that you want to try, make sure to research it first to make sure it is a legitimate program.

It is important to completely remove anti-virus software before installing a new one. Having to anti-virus programs installed and running at once will only succeed in slowing your computer to a crawl while to two programs fight for supremacy.

Once you have chosen your anti-virus program, it is imperative that you keep it up to date. Many programs release updates weekly and in some cases, daily. Generally programs are set to automatically receive updates on their own. You should leave this option in place to prevent forgetting to manually update on your own. In addition, most programs are set by default to do a daily scan at a set time. It is ok to change this setting so that your computer will be scanned during a time that your computer is normally on.

Remember, even the best programs will not always keep you safe. If you already have a virus you can't get rid of, it may be time to call a professional before it gets worse.

Keeping Windows running trouble free.

With the increasing number of security threats, the task of maintaining computer safety becomes quite an overwhelming activity. To help you with this, outlined below are some important tips that you can follow to ensure that your computer is safe

Malicious programs, such as Virus, Trojans, Mal-Ware, Spy ware, Ad-Ware and Worms are a major cause of concern for Windows users. These programs can:

-Perform regular anti virus scans
-Clutter your disk with many unwanted, malicious files.
-Generate various system errors, fatal errors, and code errors on your PC.
-Add many unwanted registry entries.
-Alter already existing entries within the registry to change how various programs work on the PC.
-Severely damage your system files that may render your computer unbootable, and even cause data loss.
-To prevent these problems, and to prevent your system from virus infections, you must install a reliable and efficient anti virus tool on your system. You must keep your tools updated with the latest definitions and run regular scans to ensure that your PC is safe from harmful virus infected files.

Spy ware programs are major threats for computer users. These programs basically track your computer and web browsing activity and trade the collected information with various advertising websites.

Removing browser tool bars and other similar spy ware programs can be quite tedious because these programs stealthily install on your PC and copy numerous files onto your computer and add many entries to the registry. The best way to get rid of them is to regularly scan your system with a reliable and efficient anti spy ware program. Just like your anti virus utility, you must keep your anti spy ware utility updated with the latest definitions to ensure complete PC protection.

Keep Your Registry Free From Malicious Entries

Mal-ware programs add numerous entries to the Windows registry also. Many times, these entries are not removed even after you have performed a full system scan using your anti virus and anti spy ware tools. Therefore, it is recommended that you also run a regular scan of the registry to ensure that no malicious information has been left behind. You can easily and efficiently scan the registry with the help of a registry cleaner tool. These tools are widely available on the Internet. You can use Google to find and download the one that best meets your requirements and is compatible with your operating system.

Use a Firewall

A firewall is a hardware or a software program that acts as a gateway between two networks and protects the data and resources of one network from another. For instance, when you are connected to the Internet a firewall will protect your PC from the public network. Therefore, to ensure that your PC is safe from any malicious attacks through the Internet, you should use a Firewall.

Tighten the Security Settings of your Web Browser

I strongly recommend using Mozilla's Firefox as opposed to Internet Explorer. If you must use IE, change the security settings. To change the settings, click “Tools” and then select the “Options” command. Here, open the “Security” tab and modify the security settings of your IE by moving up the slider in the “Security level for this zone” section.

Following the tips listed above will help protect your PC from various security hazards. If your computer has already gotten out of hand and you can't fix it yourself, contact B-TECH Computer Repair. If you live in Upstate SC, you won't find better prices. Up to 60% less than the Geek Squad. If you're in another city or state, you can contact me via Yahoo! Messenger: btech_computer_repair

Removing Antivirus2009 virus

AntiVirus 2009, is counterfeit anti spy-ware designed to look like an actual anti virus program. AntiVirus 2009 is a clone of the infamous AntiVirus 2008 that gave computers users a fit back in....you guessed it, 2008. One of the most common ways you can get AntiVirus 2009 after installing a video codec infected with a trojan, mal-ware or other virus. AntiVirus 2009 generates fake yet authentic system messages tricking users into purchasing AntiVirus 2009.

In order to completely remove AntiVirus 2009, you have to remove all of it's components and all the malware and trojans that might have come with it such as zlob.trojan, trojan.vundo and Trojan.Downloader.

If you're experienced enough, here are the tips for manually removing AntiVirus 2009

Unregister Antivirus 2009 DLL Files:
shlwapi.dll
wininet.dll

Stop Antivirus 2009 Processes:
av2009.exe
Antivirus 2009.lnk
Uninstall Antivirus.lnk
Antivirus2009.exe

Find and Delete these Antivirus 2009:
av2009.exe
Antivirus2009.exe
shlwapi.dll
wininet.dll
Antivirus 2009.lnk
Uninstall Antivirus 2009.lnk

Remove Antivirus 2009 Registry Values:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Antivirus
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Antivirus
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\”Antivirus” = “%ProgramFiles%\Antivirus 2009\Antvrs.exe”

If you're in the Spartanburg, SC area and do not feel comfortable performing these steps or need help, contact me @ B-TECH Computer Repair

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