How to Get the Best PC Security for Free

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By jl5080
eHow Community Member

Article Rating:

(37 Ratings)

Everyone that uses the internet has or will have an issue with a virus, spyware or malware. Over the years I have found that paying a subscription fee to a software vendor does not equal keeping your PC and your personal information safe from all the evil doers in the world. After lots and lots of trial and error, I have discovered what I consider to be the "Perfect Trifecta" for totally free PC security.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

My opinion is based on several things such as the ease of installation, regular updates without manual intervention, a proven track record of effectiveness actually finding and stopping or removing viruses, spyware and malware. Also just as important is how user friendly is the product, for example does the software interact properly with all your other programs? Does it give you a thousand pop-ups for you to click on to actually run the applications you want? When a firewall or other security program floods you with pop-ups it basically trains you NOT to read the pop-up and just click "allow" or "ok" because of the inconvenience and annoying questions. Does the program give a lot of false positives? Some software vendors will flag their competitors software as a virus just so you will uninstall it, pretty dirty huh? Does the software slow down your computer so that you spend more time managing the security applications than you do actually using the computer? Is real time protection included? Is there a scheduled scan tool included? Does the firewall software work vpn, vpn clients and wireless routers. Is it Vista compatible? And lastly, is the software FREE?
Step 2

I recommend using these three security software programs. They are all free, they work well together and meet all the requirements from the previous paragraph. You need a firewall, antivirus program and a spyware/malware program. First is the firewall, I suggest using Zonealarm. Second is the antivirus program, I suggest using AVG Anti-virus Free Edition. Third is the antispyware/malware program, I suggest using Spyware Terminator.
Step 3

To download all three of these for free, go to www.cnet.com and click on the downloads tab. Then click on Windows and then click on Security Software. Click on Firewall Software, click on Free and then look for Zonealarm and follow the download instructions. Or you can download it directly at http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm

After you have installed the firewall, go to www.cnet.com and click on the downloads tab. Then click on Windows and then click on Security Software. Click on Antivirus Software, click on Free and then look for AVG Anti-virus Free Edition and follow the download instructions.

After you have installed the firewall, go to www.cnet.com and click on the downloads tab. Then click on Windows and then click on Security Software. Click on Spyware Removers, click on Free and then look for Spyware Terminator and follow the download instructions.
Step 4

As you will see when you are on the cnet website, there are tons of choices for security software, but don't believe the hype, there are huge differences in each of these products so save yourself a lot of time, money and headaches and take my advice.