Free Computer Virus Scans - Do They Work and Can They Be Trusted?
Free, free, free.
Everyone wants 'free' everything.
Think about it.
When you get something for free, isn't there often a catch? You usually get something free after a purchase of something else, or you get a free 30 day trial of a service which is then followed by the need to pay for the service if you wish to continue.
What would you think if a security company knocked on your door and said "Hey, we were in the neighbourhood and saw your house.
We think you need a 24 hr security service and we are happy to provide that to you for FREE!" Would you trust them with access to your home? Would you trust that their service is legitimate? Ask yourself this question.
Of what benefit would it be to the security service to provide you with a free installation and free service? The answer: to have access to your home.
Now, think about this in terms of having a free anti-virus or anti-spyware service.
What do you think would be in it for the providers? There will always be something in it for them...
always.
It might be something fairly innocuous like, letting you try the service for free for a limited amount of time but then if you wanted to continue, you would need to pay.
That's legitimate and not necessarily a bad thing.
On the other hand, free antivirus programs are often created simply to trick you into installing them onto your computer which then gives them access to your personal data, including passwords and account information.
Another question to ask is...
if they give their anti-virus software away for free, where do they get the money to keep up with all the new viruses that appear daily? How to prevent computer viruses It doesn't seem possible to prevent computer viruses.
But, you can prevent them from accessing your computer and therefore personal information by installing a good and trustworthy anti-virus/anti-spyware software program.
Do you due diligence.
Look for the best ones on the Internet.
You need more than what comes free with your browser.
Get a good one so that it is constantly updated on your pc.
Schedule routine scans and doing this daily is a good idea.
Be vigilant and don't click on any links within pop-ups unless they are from a trustworthy source.
Never buy an anti-virus software program from a pop-up, and certainly not one that tells you that you have an infected computer and need their software.
Treat your computer and the information that's on it as worthy of protecting.
Bottom line...
you get what you pay for.
Everyone wants 'free' everything.
Think about it.
When you get something for free, isn't there often a catch? You usually get something free after a purchase of something else, or you get a free 30 day trial of a service which is then followed by the need to pay for the service if you wish to continue.
What would you think if a security company knocked on your door and said "Hey, we were in the neighbourhood and saw your house.
We think you need a 24 hr security service and we are happy to provide that to you for FREE!" Would you trust them with access to your home? Would you trust that their service is legitimate? Ask yourself this question.
Of what benefit would it be to the security service to provide you with a free installation and free service? The answer: to have access to your home.
Now, think about this in terms of having a free anti-virus or anti-spyware service.
What do you think would be in it for the providers? There will always be something in it for them...
always.
It might be something fairly innocuous like, letting you try the service for free for a limited amount of time but then if you wanted to continue, you would need to pay.
That's legitimate and not necessarily a bad thing.
On the other hand, free antivirus programs are often created simply to trick you into installing them onto your computer which then gives them access to your personal data, including passwords and account information.
Another question to ask is...
if they give their anti-virus software away for free, where do they get the money to keep up with all the new viruses that appear daily? How to prevent computer viruses It doesn't seem possible to prevent computer viruses.
But, you can prevent them from accessing your computer and therefore personal information by installing a good and trustworthy anti-virus/anti-spyware software program.
Do you due diligence.
Look for the best ones on the Internet.
You need more than what comes free with your browser.
Get a good one so that it is constantly updated on your pc.
Schedule routine scans and doing this daily is a good idea.
Be vigilant and don't click on any links within pop-ups unless they are from a trustworthy source.
Never buy an anti-virus software program from a pop-up, and certainly not one that tells you that you have an infected computer and need their software.
Treat your computer and the information that's on it as worthy of protecting.
Bottom line...
you get what you pay for.
Source...