I have been getting a lot of emails lately asking me if it is SAFE to use Free AntiVirus Software.

Now my first reaction is “of course it is”, the as I read all of these emails, there was some real concern there. So I decided that I would speak about it via the blog.  But first, a story…

I was at Best Buy last week just looking around at stuff.  I always love walking around Best Buy because I like to touch and feel new products (because I am a gadget geek), and I also love it because Best Buy does a great job of training their staff about the products (well they do in my area anyway).

Now I never buy software at any brick and mortar store, never.  I can read and compare the info online, and I make a decision based upon all the software, not just the one’s “at the store”.

So I am at Best Buy, and I see this guy staring intently at the antivirus software boxes lined up neatly on the shelf.  He had this puzzled look on his face, and he almost looks like he was in pain.  Now I know I shouldn’t do this, but I walked over, introduced myself and told him what I did for a living, and asked him if he had any questions.  He just said “…I have no idea what to do here.”.  So we talked for a while and he said that his Norton AV software had stopped working (again) and that he felt he needed something to replace it, but he had no idea what he needed.

So I talked to him a little about what kind of computer he needed it for, and what he used it for just to gauge what his needs were.  As we were talking, the Best Buy Blue Shirt showed up and asked if we had any questions.  I asked him what software he though my new friend should buy, and the blue shirt picked up a copy of Norton and said “This is our Best Seller”, and then was called away.  Well that didn’t help much at all, so I suggested to my friend that he wasn’t sure what to do that he might want to just get a FREE AntiVirus Software program for the time being until he knew what he needed.

He was amazed that there was FREE SOFTWARE available!  He got a little excited as I talked to him.  I explained that many VERY REPUTABLE AntiVirus Software companies GIVE AWAY a bare bones version of their software.

This is good for you for THREE REASONS:

1. You can get some AntiVirus Protection on your PC while you weigh the options for your needs without RUSHING into a Bad and/or Costly situation.
   • I HATE when I am forced to make snap decisions!  I always regret my decision, ALWAYS.
2. You can make sure that the software works on your computer without any conflicts.
   • I explained to my friend that every computer has basically the same Hardware (components, etc) but the software applicaiton are completely different.
   • These differences can cause your computer to not work well with other programs, and AntiVirus programs are notorious for “not playing well with others!”.
   • So it is always a good idea to *TEST* AntiVirus software on your computer before you Commit to it.  This is one reason why AntiVirus Software has one of the HIGHEST RATES of RETURN at the store!!!
   • A testing period of 4-6 weeks should give you a good idea if it will work for you.
3. It’s Absolutely Free and in most cases there is NO TIME LIMIT on FREE!
   • Some PAID versions of software may give you a 30 FREE TRIAL, but I explained to him that this software was absolutely FREE.
   • I have been running FREE software on my pcs/laptop for YEARS!

So is Free AntiVirus Safe?  Yes (and No!)

Any AntiVirus software is ONLY AS GOOD AS THE LATEST UPDATE.  What does that mean?  Well AntiVirus software uses what is called a “Definition File” which is basically a list of Known Viruses and instructions for the software on how to Cure the Virus.

New PC Viruses come out EVERY DAY!  So these software companies must react to these threats every day, and they create new versions of the “Definition File” every day – and in most cases they make new ones every few hours!

Now with that in mind, how effective your AntiVirus software is going to be is directly related to the version of the “Definition file” that you have.  If your file is 2 months old, your software is not going to be very safe.  Make sense.

Make sure you have the latest update!

I Don’t Know How – or – What is my First Step?

No worries, I have created step-by-step directions in VIDEO that you can easily follow.  If you have any problems, please contact me and I will see what I can do to help.

Click this Link to see the Video!

So what happened to the guy that you met at Best Buy?

Well he went home, followed the steps I just explained, and his computer is running just fine!

If you have any questions or concerns, you can leave a comment below – or you can Email me directly.

When I was young, like 10 or 11 years old, I remember that when my grandfather came to visit our family he always seemed to be just a little frustrated.  Well being an inquisitive (and probably annoying) child, I asked him one day why he was always frustrated (I probably didn’t ask it that formally).  His answer always stayed with me:

“Son, as I get older, I realize that things that are important to me don’t seem to be important to anyone else.  People tend to rush the important things, cut corners when they shouldn’t, and don’t do what they are supposed to, and then blame someone else for their problem.”

He said that over 30 years ago!

My grandfather was in the Corps of Engineers and was responsible for large projects such as building dams, locks, and bridges.  He was by all accounts an excellent engineer and a perfectionist.  He was a man of few words, and like most of our grandfathers – he sacrificed a lot through both the depression and WWII.

Now why do I mention this…?  Well because at 40+ years of age, I am starting to feel that same frustration!

I am by trade an IT consultant and I have quite a few clients, many of which are large publicly traded companies.  Most of the people that I help and work with are very nice people, and typically they are very dilligent in their day-to-day jobs.  But they (much like most of us) are focused on the short and long term goals set by their Boss and/or the company that they work for.  The problem is that there typically isn’t any “breathing room” in the corporate space, and although most companies do focus on training – most employees look at this as either a nuisance or an excuse to relax/deflate.

Although most if not all white collar employees work with a computer/laptop, I would say that at least 80% (that I know) only use up to three or four apps (ie. Email, Excel, Enterprise apps, web browser, etc), and about 75% barely have a working knowledge of the OS.  This combined with the fact that corporate IT departments have done a great job of thwarting viral threats in the Back Office without much, if any, user responsibility has given the user a false sense of security when they approach their home pc.

Now as a result, I have probably had a conversation with EVERY SINGLE PERSON that I come in contact with in the corporate space about their Home Computer!  The discussion topic always starts with “my computer is slow” and moves toward AntiVirus software, AntiSpyware software, Firewalls, etc.  Most of them have little to NO PROTECTION on their pc.  What is worse, they have a copy of Norton or McAfee that came with the pc, but hasn’t been update in three years because they never paid for the service.  Even in late 2008, half of these users that I run into have no Spyware protection on their home pc!  Unreal.

In most cases, I would just take their home pc back to my office and clean it up for them.  I wouldn’t charge them, but I would suggest a good bottle of scotch (at least 12 years old!)

After a while, I got a bit overloaded and overwhelmed “fixing” everyone’s pc.  Yeah, my scotch collection was pretty nice, but I didn’t have any time to enjoy it or do anything else but WORK.

That is the number 1 reason why I setup the Powers Zone.  To give users a place to go where they could understand the threats to their pc, and learn how to clean it themselves.  And to help RELIEVE my frustration level, because I started to become my grandfather…at 40!

Helping pc users become aware of the threats, aware of the tools, and educating them on how to deal and react to both is what I hope to accomplish with the Powers Zone.

If you have any ideas or comments, please feel free to comment!

We finally launched the first version of The Powers Zone website  this past week.  Its a great site that has:

• free antivirus software
• free malware software
• free trojan software
• free firewall sofware
• Video Tutorials
• and more…

 I also created a video that YOU MUST WATCH!  85% of all HOME COMPUTERS are AT RISK, and I discuss how you can PROTECT YOURSELF from Viruses and Hackers!  Just sign up for my newsletter and you can watch it for free. Click Here to Watch!

If you care about your pc, then go to The Powers Zone TODAY!

 

Bruce Powers

Don’t forget to backup! This is the easiest way!