Best Links US: Computer virus protection

BestLINKS US: Major anti-virus and malware software BestlinksUS

A virus is an STD disease you catch from disreputable websites. A common place to get your computer infected is to look at porn; (could be some goody-goody is teaching you not to look at it!)

You'll likely catch one that will slow your PC down or even crash it and risk losing your data or be forced to pay someone to disinfect and reload your software and data.

This is why you MUST have a virus protector on your PC to watch everything you browse and grab em before they do damage.

Windows 10 has a built in one but there are private companies that provide even more protection. Here's what Microsoft says about its Defender program. Earlier computers benefit from Microsoft's older "Security Essentials" software which is also free.

If you want more serious protection, you can buy third party software and here are the main recommendations.

Malware - Irritating sales tactic

Malware is a tricky sales offer that hijacks your PC or browser and then nags you day-after-day to buy their utility. ("Mal" is from the Latin word meaning "bad;" It often slips onto your computer without your permission along when you download some software you DO want. Other mischievous programs slip it into trick porn sites to lure you in so they can give you a malware virus to teach you not to down load pornography. (Yup; generally beware of free stuff like screensavers and fun toys which sometimes do it just to be mean.)

You can use Windows Settings to manually "uninstall' malware from your hard drive or browser, or get the program below that does it for you:

MalwareBytes

Download and keep this free "cleanup tool" on your PC in case (or when) your PC gets infected with a virus or malicious sales software.

If Malware Bytes doesn't rid your PC of the irritant, check your browser's Options to see if malware has been dropped into your browser, hiding there in plain sight to irritate you. Certainly, any company that tricks or nags you isn't worth using.

Just Un-Install a program. Sometimes you can just UN-install a program you dont want, tho be careful. Go to Start Menu > Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and when all your registered programs load, find the offender, click it, and press the Uninstall button to remove it and all its parts from your PC. (This is a powerful tool so don't get uninstall-happy or you'll mess up a program you do want to keep!)

Another pesky Malware "Chromium", hijacks your browser to sell you stuff. You can spend money to rid your PC of it, or like many, just go out on the web and search for "Remove (and the malware's name) as in "Remove Cromium." Computer goodguys often offer advice that works, like this one when your Windows 10 UN-installer isn't allowed by clever malware programmers to remove it:

Remove Chromium malware. Next open Control Panel: Programs and Features. Check if you see a "Chromium" or any other suspicious entry. If you do, uninstall the program.

If it wont uninstall, open Windows' File Explorer, click on "VIEW", then checkmark the "Hidden Items" checkbox to reveal the hidden ones. Go find C:\Users\(your username)\AppData\. If you NOW see the formerly hidden Chromium folder in there, just delete it.

And another one:

Warning: Anti-virus giant Avast, a Czech Republic company, is Malware itself. It sneaks onto your computer piggyback during other installs and then takes over your PC and is written so you cannot remove it; worse, it slows down your PC. Avast bought CCleaner which used to be a reputable company. Be careful NOT to download it because once it gets its foot in the door, there are no elegant ways to remove it. Contrary to it's billing, it is NOT the most popular anti-virus program. MalwareBytes does not remove Avast; it defends itself against it!

Good idea!
AdBlocker Plus for your Browser

Here's a good, popular, and reputable program to install as an add-on extension to your browser to stop most websites' obnoxious ads. It will run automatically. Legitimate websites will sense your adblocker and ask you to turn it off so you can see the ads that support their sites and pay salaries for their people. Some sites, especially those run by legitimate news outlets won't let you see their news stories until you tell Adblocker Plus NOT to block ads on their sites. You should agree to that if you want to see their webpages. When asked, tell Adblocker to allow all the URL's in their domain to pass through. Here's the download site for Adblocker Plus.

Here's what the Magazines say about Virus Protection

Microsoft says:

Malware Issues

Tom's Guide

Best anti-Virus vs Windows Defender
Lists Tom's recommended brands by name

PC World says:
Removing Malware

Lifehacker says:
5 Best Malware Removal Tools

AVG:
AVG virus removal tools

Microsoft's Builtin:

MS Windows Security Scanner

HowStuffWorks:
Virus Removing

PC Mag:
Best Free Removal Tools

Google:
LEGAL Removal tool (
(Removing yourself from its files)

Avast Warning
While Avast is a popular free Anti-Virus program, it's also malware in that it is very hard to remove. Read up on Avast which sneaks onto your PC when you install other software.

Kaspersky LabsWarning:
Kaspersky is a well-recommended Russian-made anti-virus tool. You may want to avoid it because of the widespread reports it's also SPYWARE from the tricky communists who often steal American intellectual property. You can choose better!