One of the biggest threats everyone faces who likes to surf the net is viruses. The nasty little programs can actually cause irreparable damage to your computer. Having a method of checking whether your computer is affected is important. If you don’t have virus software installed on your desktop or laptop computer, you can utilize the Internet by using an online virus scan. These programs are efficient and in many cases, free.
The first thing to look for when you want to scan your computer for viruses using an online site is how reliable the site itself is. Many naïve individuals have followed a link to a site that claims to offer an online virus scan only to find that they need to download something that ultimately proves to be a virus. The best sites to visit are those that are well-known and that have a solid reputation behind them.
Once you find a site you trust you need to set aside some time for the scan to do its work. It’s best to not be running many different programs while the online virus scan is on. This will only slow down both the scan itself but it will also make whatever programs you are using, move at a much slower pace as well. The best thing to do is to let the scan finish before attempting to use the machine.
Many sites that offer this free service have an ulterior motive. Although they’ll allow you to use their online virus scan at your own pace, you’ll need to pay a fee to clear your machine of any viruses that are found. This is frustrating once you realize that you do have a virus present on your computer.
If this does happen you have two different choices. One is to pay the fee and allow the program to rid your machine of the viruses, this typically involves a download. The other is to invest in your own virus software.
Many Internet providers actually offer their clients some extra perks when they sign a contract. One may be a virus scanning tool. This is similar to the online virus scan in that you visit the service provider’s website to download the software. As long as you stay with that company you’ll have access to the free software. This can actually save a few pennies and is often a good route to take.
Purchasing your own software works well too. Most common scanners allow you to have free updates for up to a year, which means you’ll always have the most recent virus definitions. Keeping your computer free of annoying intruders is your main goal, so pick a virus scanner today and start using it as soon as you can.
