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