“My home computer seems to be continually attacked by viruses and is starting to slow down considerably. I clearly need to find some anti-virus software but I am reluctant to pay the price for the protection. Are programs like McAfee or Norton worth the money or are there free programs available that can get the job done?

-- Daniel M.

It does not matter how computer savvy you are, at least some type of virus protection software should be installed on your computer. Even if you are incredibly careful with what you download from the Internet and consciously look for penitential spyware threats, malicious software can be hidden anywhere. Without proper protection there is nothing stopping it from taking hold of your CPU and running it into the ground. Paid virus protection services offer many extra benefits compared to the free programs, but are not absolutely necessary in providing basic protection.

Obviously, the first choice you have to make when shopping around for virus protection is to pick a provider. There are literally hundreds available, but it is probably a better choice to stick to the more well known brand names. Bigger brands like McAfee and Norton have been trusted for years and can usually be found in retail stores or can be downloaded through their respective websites. AVG and Avast! are newer to the virus protection scene and are available only through their websites but have been slowly growing in popularity. These programs are commonly sold on a subscription basis and usually offer a few years of service at a time. Some programs may even offer free versions that will prevent your computer from getting viruses but only at the most basic level.

When picking out your virus protection software, there are usually several editions of each product available to consumers.  Each edition offers a different level of protection and should be examined thoroughly to make sure that you are getting all of the services you want and not paying for anything you don’t necessarily need. For example, maximum protection packages usually include extra protection for your online accounts and email filtering software not available in cheaper or free versions. If you are just using your computer for personal use, these may not be necessary. However, if you are using the computer for a small business, this extra protection may be worthwhile to keep all your personal data secure.

Picking out the right virus protection software can be incredibly tricky, especially for someone who is not entirely familiar with computers or the Internet. If this is the case, or you are having trouble making up your mind, software companies will usually have a downloadable trial available on their website to give you a few days of free service to help you with your decision.