Keep that New Computer Safe for Free

You might have heard of people throwing away new computers a few months after getting them for Christmas because the new computer is already so infested with malware that it is no longer usable and the new computer user doesn't know how to fix it. The good news is that not only is this easily avoidable; and it can be done for free.

The first thing you need to do is go download and install Spybot Search & Destroy. After installation, immediately click on "Update" and download any available updates. This is important because new malware is constantly being written and it is important to keep your detection rules up to date. After updating, click on "Search and Destroy" and check for problems on your computer. The scan may take quite a bit of time to run depending on the size of your hard drive. After the scan follow the instructions to fix any problems that were found. After updating and scanning for problems, click on "Immunize" and enable all protection. Each time you run Spybot Search & Destroy you will want to check for updates first, then scan for problems, and finally immunize.

Next, you need to go download and install Ad-Aware Free. Once again, the first thing you will want to do after installation is check for updates. This should happen automatically when you open the software. After the updates have finished downloading, check for problems by clicking "Scan Now" and follow the instructions for removal.

Third, you will want Spyware Blaster. This one is different in that it does not find and repair problems but works to prevent them from occurring in the first place. It's an ounce of prevention while Spybot and Ad-Aware are a pound of cure. Again, you need to click on "Updates" and download any available updates first. Then click on "Protection" and enable all protection.

Don't make the mistake of thinking you are finished. These programs need to be regularly updated and run to work. How often you need to update and run these programs depends on how much time you spend surfing the web and what type of sites you visit. You might be surprised at the type of sites that are the worst places to pick up malware. I often have trouble with my computer after visiting sites offering free coloring pages for children. you might want to start out running these once a week and if you rarely find problems, switch to once per month. I'm down to running them only about once every three months or when something seems off, like my computer is running slower than usual or I'm getting pop-up ads at sites I know don't use them.

It may seem redundant to run both Spybot and Ad-Aware when they do essentially the same thing but although both programs are excellent, there are usually problems that one can fix and the other can't. However, You might want to alternate running Spybot one week and Ad-Aware the next week since both take a long time to run a full scan.