I get a lot of email from people asking me what I run on my pc’s.  It’s a very good question, and it’s one that i would probably ask – but you need to be careful because people in my line of work that use and work with computers for a living tend to lose sight of the fact that this ALL NEW to someone, and in some cases that someone is you.

Here are some thoughts before I get started:

• Just because it’s FREE doesn’t mean it’s EASY To USE – Typically it is often the other way around
• Sometimes it’s better to BUY software than to struggle with Free versions – Especially if you value your time.
• DON’T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT A GOOD BACKUP!!!
• You need to make sure you update your software regularly – Very Important
• You need to AUDIT your software regularly. – I will give you more info on this in a later post!
• If you start reading the text below and it doesn’t make any sense – You should WATCH THIS VIDEO on Taking Control of your PC!  It’s FREE when you sign up for the Newsletter!

OK, OK, OK – What do I run on my PC?

I will break down the crucial software that I run and WHY?

You can download all of these apps using this link.

1. AntiVirus Software – Avira AntiVirus Software (Free Version) – Avira Link
I have gone back and forth between Avira, AVG FREE, and CA eTrust. Avira does a nice job (as do most of the others), but it doesn’t seem to slow my computer down like the others apps do. This is imporant because what good is an antivirus program when it consumes all of the computers resources and slows down your computer?
I typically will review this every 6-8 months, and if there some BUZZ on a new app or upgrade – then I’ll at least take a look at it.
Note: Rarely will I ever use a FIRST VERSION of a virus software under normal circumstances.

2. AntiSpyware Software – SuperAntiSpyware, Spybot Search and Destroy, & AntiMalwareBytes
Why Three? Well, I don’t run them all at the same time, and each one has it’s own set of benefits. Spyware is such a HUGE BEAST to deal with, that I personally don’t trust cleaning it up to only one app. Now I go through Spyware apps like my kids go through Hershey bars! I change these very often, and I typically have 5 or 6 installed and only run 2-3 on a periodic basis. Some others that I use are Ad-Aware, and A-squared trojan remover has a built in spyware remover as well.

3. Trojan Software – A-Squared
I think that A-squared is the only software that I have some sort of allegience to. I really do love this app! It is easy to update, simple to run, and it does everything I want it to. I have run into more problems in the past with Trojans that with viruses and spyware combined, and A-squared has been superb in finding those problems and removing them.
This is the #1 app in my arsenal and I use it very often.

4. Firewall – Comodo
What is a Firewall? A firewall in simple terms is a protective “wall” between your computer and the internet. Now Firewalls do a lot of different things, and much of it is way too technical. Here is an example of why you need a firewall.

My daughter went looking on the web for a song that she wanted. She finally found it on some obscure website. When she got to the site, her Comodo firewall started BLOCKING some unidentified app that was already installed on her computer from trying to get internet access. What? Yeah, the seemingly innocent song site actually had a viral program that was instantaneously installed on her computer without her knowledge and then tried to contact another computer/spammer/hacker to let them know it was there. The firewall stopped it from transmitting that information! A quick run of the virus software found the culprit and it was removed. Had she not been running the firewall software, she would have been infected with a couple of viruses, a few trojans, and a serious case of “Daddy fix this!”.
Firewalls are great if you have kids that like to “wander” around on the web, or if you like to do that.

Now I used to use Zone Alarm firewall software, and I still like it, but I ran into some snags with the software conflicting with some other apps and I had to switch.

That is sometimes the case when dealing with these software packages.  I have talked about this in earlier posts as well as on the videos that some of these applications MAY NOT WORK CORRECTLY on your pc for one reason or another.  It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are crappy, it just means that you have something on your computer that conflicts with the software.  This is why you always get the FREE VERSION of the software and TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!

What’s the FIRST STEP – Make sure you have a good backup because it anything can happen that will force you to loose that data FOREVER.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Mike

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.

I used to love those old Best Buy Geek Squad commercials.  But I never really liked Geek Squad!

I always here this from people when it comes to their pc:  ”…I am not really a computer person” or “I am not into computers”.  As if this is an excuse or something.  Comedian Greg Behrendt once said “saying that I’m not into computers these days is like saying, Yeah…I’m really not into the phone!”.  Everyone these days has or uses one, so no more excuses!

Many people that I run into believe that if they have a problem with their laptop/pc, their only choice is to take it to Geek Squad.  That is a myth that needs to be dispelled!

Now I am fortunate because I don’t have the need for a service like Geek Squad (nor does anyone I know), but there are many people that take their pc to Geek Squad everyday and they don’t have a clue.

Geek Squad is basically like an Auto Mechanic, if they realize that you don’t know what is wrong with your pc, or if they think they can charge you for extra services…THEY WILL.  I should also state that I have some very good friends that work for Best Buy in the technical services and they are good people.  That being said, let’s look at what we can do to prevent the need for Geek Squad.

• Fact:  Most people will take their pc to Geek Squad because of Virus, Spyware and Software issues.
• Fact:  These are the most COSTLY issues to resolve!
• Fact:  You can do almost ALL OF THIS at home with FREE SOFTWARE!!!

HOW?

In most cases, you can resolve what seem like MAJOR ISSUES with your pc just by running one or two cleansing apps.  You just need to know which ones!  That the SECRET!  Follow these steps

1. Back Up your Files! Read this post on Backing up your data! (it opens in a new window!) A good backup is always important!  EVEN IF YOU TAKE YOUR PC TO GEEK SQUAD.  Many times Geek Squad will resolve issues by WIPING THE HARD DRIVE CLEAN and replacing your operating system (XP/VISTA).  You lose your data, and you pay them for the effort!
2. Run your Virus Software.  Click here for options
3. Run AntiTrojan Software Click here for options
4. Run AntiSpyware Software! Click here for options

If this all seems TOO DIFFICULT or COMPLICATED TO UNDERSTAND, Watch My VIDEO!!!  Click Here!  Just sign up for my newsletter (name and email addy!).

Recently, a friend of mine told me that he paid over $550 last year getting his laptops “cleaned” by Geek Squad.  When I showed him how to do it for free, he was first very thankful and surprised – and then he got pretty mad.

I am sure he’s not the only one that will have that same reaction!

I tried all these steps but it doesn’t fix my problem!

Well, if you run through all of these steps and it doesn’t fix your problem, you just saved a lot of money.  When you take your pc in (to Geek Squad?), tell them that you ran these processes on your pc and you were still having a problem. BE SPECIFIC when explaining the problem with your pc.  There is a good chance that they will treat you a bit differently (like you’re not an idiot!), but they may still try to sell you the “Diagnostic Tests” which is basically what you just did.  If you get a good tech, they will walk you through what the problem may be.  Have them EXPLAIN:

• What they intend to do
• Tell you how long it will take
• How much will it cost.

Be certain to tell them to keep you informed of the process, and not to do anything “drastic” without consulting you first.

Hardware Problems?

Sometimes the problem is related to hardware like a dying harddrive, network card going out, or a power supply.  Hundreds of things can go bad.  My suggestion is use Google to search for solutions to your problem.  It is a great first step.  That is how I do it.

Now if you can’t/won’t deal with replacing computer components – I highly recommend finding a teenager, friend, or an associate that is very good at technical stuff that can handle replacing computer components, etc.  Typically people like this love to help, and they won’t typically charge you to fix your issue (but you should pay them anyway!!!)  This will save you loads of time, money, and the pain that comes with computer problems.  Geek Squad is not a bad alternative when it comes to hardware stuff, but you are going to pay through the nose for it.

I don’t want to deal with it…I just want it fixed!

If you just want the problem fixed, there are plenty of resources online that you can utilize to at least identify your problem.  There are also online pc technicians that can log onto your pc and fix the problem for a charge.  In my opinion, it typically is cheaper to use an online pc tech than disconnecting your pc and taking it to Geek Squad.

If you have a question, you can post a comment

Hey Guys,

I just posted some videos on YouTube that walk you through how to install, setup and run Avira AntiVir Antivirus software.  This is one of the virus apps that I use, and I this Step-by-Step tutorial should help you.

Part One

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z29_sgSuGrc

Part Two

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySzXyBn6PEw

Let me know if you have any questions below!

…Mike