There are many Anti-Virus programs available to use. Many are free trials with the offering to upgrade to an enhanced product. The upgraded product will offer better security features that may not be needed. They may also be invasive and pop-up asking you if you really want to do something when you are trying to access a particular website. They may also actually block your access to certain web sites and unless you know the features of this product may be cumbersome to use in knowing where to adjust ceria internet settings. The fact that there is a charge for these products does not necessarily make them better and may be a possible duplication of products that are already reside on your computer.
Firewalls:
All Microsoft operating systems have a firewall. Wireless routers also have firewall security features. Some of these products including registry cleaners will usually slow the computer down. Your browser (Internet Explore, Firefox, Chrome) will also have encryption features that will encrypt data going across the internet, including credit card data that may be used for online banking or purchases.
Data theft:
It is rarely done through someone’s home computer or lack of security. It is usually done more grand scale through security issues at the bank level or with big corporations.
I prefer to install the free versions of some of the Anti-Virus programs out there such as Avast! or Microsoft Security Essentials, to protect from possible viruses or spy ware and trust that the Microsoft firewall is sufficient enough to block unwanted internet traffic. No available Anti-Virus product will fully protect you from clicking on a link that you shouldn’t have or opening an attachment that may have some sort of mal ware, but it should alert you if you do and help you remove it.
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