Antivirus software: Who needs it?

If you've purchased your computer from a retailer that has put everything together, including monitor, keyboard, printer, etc., then it's likely that you have some antivirus software installed somewhere on it. Or, in the very least, your computer offers a trial to use antivirus software (some are 30 days, others 90, some just two weeks). In recent years, antivirus software does more than just check for viruses. It can offer regular clean-ups of the hard drive, the operating system's registry, and can for spyware and adware. It can even come with a firewall.

A virus is a file, or a series of files, that attempt

to alter your computer in some manner. It can manipulate important system files in individual programs, or it can overwrite important system files, causing inconsistencies within your computer. They can make your computer unusable by severely depleting resources, or they can simply cause it to break down completely, forcing the user to have to re-install everything from the beginning. Essentially, a computer virus functions exactly like an airborne virus: it attempts to spread and infect as much as it can. It can hijack e-mailing programs, messaging programs, and essentially makes an effort to connect to whoever you have stored in an address book or contact list to pass itself on.Some viruses are more harmful than others. Some may simply collect data to be sent to a third party. Nonetheless, if you don't have software that can detect a virus, they are incredibly difficult to trace. Antivirus software stays afoot with several new viruses that surface and could cause a threat. All forms of antivirus software, no matter from which brand, release automatic updates regularly, usually daily.

Spyware is a piece of software that installs itself on a computer without consent or knowledge of the user. This software monitors and collects data from the user, but it also modifies normal computer activity. For example, while web browsing, it could automatically link you to websites which will install other forms of harmful software, including viruses. Like a virus, it manipulates and takes control of your computer.Most of the time, spyware can get on a computer by exploiting the user. It tricks users into believing that they have software that is out of date, and that they "may" be infected with viruses that are slowing down their machine. While legitimate software can detect this, spyware can easily be detected if it attempts to install itself on your computer without initializing a download. If it tries to get on your computer without your knowing, chances are, it's spyware. Fortunately, a lot of antivirus software comes equipped with spyware removal. It tracks and detects where spyware typically locates itself on a computer. See the screens below for examples.

Similar to spyware, adware installs itself onto a user's computer, usually without knowing. It can either work on its own, or in conjunction with another program. Essentially, adware loads advertisements from the internet, and displays them on the user's computer (like pop-up ads), whether or not an internet browser is open at the time. Messenger programs typically use adware, but only when the program is active, and are visible within the same window as the functioning program.Not all adware is bad, mind you. Some programs that you download can come as a "free" or "pro" version. Some free versions of software have to list advertisements in order to keep their software free. At that point, the only way to remove the adware is to purchase the "pro" version. This could be any type of software. But any adware that works by itself is one that is associated with spyware, and can be detected and removed with antivirus software that comes equipped with adware removal. Alternatively, there are some programs that deal specifically with adware removal, and they could be more cost-effective just to get on their own.

For even the safest internet user who is savvy about which files to access and ignore, more and more developers are growing shrewd with how they can get certain documents on your computer. Companies, legitimate or not, can find a way to insert some form of adware, spyware, or even a harmless Trojan virus as means of collecting usage data. Not all developers do this, but some may. While some of the files they insert into your computer are harmless, it still interferes with your privacy. It can also be a gateway for other potentially harmful files to enter the computer.There are a wide variety of programs from which to choose. Some require an annual subscription in order to keep the software up to date. Some programs are free but offer limited updates, or offer updates less frequently. Regardless, having some sort of software running in the background that can detect and remove viruses, spyware or adware is a good idea to have, and better than having nothing at all.

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