Mark Leong

You don’t need to pay for Windows security!

Filed under Computing

If you are a non-commercial (e.g. home, educational, non-profit) Windows user, you do not need to fork out big bucks to keep your computer safe from malicious software. Some of the big computer security companies would like you to think otherwise, but the truth is there are plenty of excellent free alternatives.

Antivirus

There are many free antivirus programs out there, but I’ll just recommend three:

• Avast Antivirus (this is the one I use)
• Microsoft Security Essentials (made by Microsoft, if that makes you feel safer)
• AVG Anti-Virus

Note: If you already have an antivirus program installed and running, make sure you uninstall that first.

Firewall

Since XP, Windows has shipped with a built-in firewall. You really don’t need to do anything more than turn it on and forget about it. Note: If you already have an firewall installed and running, make sure you uninstall that first.

Update

Keep Windows updated by turning on automatic updates. If you spot a little yellow icon with an exclamation mark in it near the clock, right click on it and install the update that is available.