Fake Antivirus - how to avoid it!

Over the last 6 months the number one virus found on PC's has been what is commonly referred to as 'Fake Anti-virus' or one of it's variants. Rather than keeping track of all the websites and emails to stay away from, which would be a huge and ever changing list, it's a lot easier to just stay pro-active with the proper Microsoft updates, anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

First of all, if you already have Fake Anti-virus then it's generally too late for most users to remove it. It's time to have a computer tech take care of it. As a side note, Fake Anti-virus will tell you your PC is infected with multiple viruses and then ask for a credit card number before it can remove them. DO NOT give them any credit card info! Believe it or not, many customers have done this. Now internet thieves have that credit card info. Yikes!

If you do not already have an infection of Fake Anti-virus then here are some proactive steps you can take to avoid getting it:

1. Install all Microsoft Updates available. To do this on Windows XP, Vista and 7 go to Start -All Programs -Windows Update. Follow the prompts to install all critical updates.

2. Make sure you have an up to date anti-virus program installed. Open the anti-virus program and locate the update option. If it will not update for whatever reason, it's time to un-install it and install a new anti-virus. Some good free anti-virus programs can be found at avast.com, avg.com and many others.

3. Make sure you have an up to date anti-spyware program installed. Anti-virus alone is never enough. Some good free anti-spyware programs can be found at spywareterminator.com and safer-networking.org. Many others are available. But, many bogus anti-spyware websites exist. Be careful.

Even with all the proper protection installed and updated there is no guarantee that your PC will not get a virus. It's a constant battle between the anti-virus programmers and the virus programmers. A kind of virtual internet war.

Good luck in the battle!

David