| Everybody who has a PC has heard of computer | | | | Once you've found the website the product is |
| viruses. But there is a new and growing | | | | quick to download and install. You should be |
| threat to the security of your machine. That | | | | in a position to use it almost straight away |
| threat is spyware. These malicious programs | | | | as there is no complicated set required. |
| do more than just cause disruption to your | | | | |
| computer. They can be used by criminals to | | | | The software will provide you with the |
| harvest personal information about you. This | | | | ability to scan your computer system for the |
| could be something as simple as what websites | | | | presence of spyware and then give you the |
| you visit. But more seriously they can be | | | | option to remove them. You can carry out this |
| used to find out credit card numbers and bank | | | | function in the free version as often as you |
| account details. | | | | require, but it is generally recommended that |
| | | | you do it at least weekly. This does of |
| A small industry has grown up to protect us | | | | course mean that in theory spyware could be |
| from spyware. Some of the products created | | | | on your computer for up to a week before your |
| are free and others require the purchase of a | | | | next scan is carried out. And let's face it, |
| licence. Here we'll have a look at AVG, a | | | | who is going to religiously remember to do a |
| free spyware detector that can help protect | | | | scan every week? |
| your system. AVG is the brand name given to a | | | | |
| range of products by the company Grisoft. | | | | The ideal situation is to be able to prevent |
| This is a Czech company that has a heritage | | | | spyware getting onto your machine in |
| in creating acclaimed anti-virus products. | | | | real-time. These would give you the ultimate |
| The name AVG comes from their first product | | | | level of security. For this functionality you |
| which was called Anti Virus Guard. | | | | will need to upgrade from the free version to |
| | | | the Professional version. There is a charge |
| The AVG anti spyware product is a more recent | | | | for this product. |
| addition to their security arsenal. This is a | | | | |
| response to the ever-increasing threat from | | | | If you choose to opt for the Professional |
| these malicious programs. This spyware | | | | version you would also benefit from the free |
| product is generally regarded as one of the | | | | technical support line and automatic updates. |
| top freeware products that's available. | | | | For the modest fee that is involved, these |
| | | | upgrades are well worth considering. |
| Detecting spyware requires a good deal of | | | | |
| computing knowledge and a software | | | | As a product, AVG free spyware has a solid |
| infrastructure that is capable of being | | | | reputation and comes from a respected company |
| updated quickly when a threat is found. Can | | | | that has a good history. You may also be |
| this be achieved by a free software product? | | | | interested to know that they have a free |
| Furthermore, can a free product actually be a | | | | anti-virus program available for |
| bad deal? Here's what we found when we took | | | | non-commercial use. It's certainly worthy of |
| this software for a quick trial. | | | | consideration if you need complete PC |
| | | | protection. |