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