Aren’t there loads of antivirus hubs already? So why do I bother? Yes, there are but there is no single hub that in itself can provide you with an answer to most of the common problems faced by an everyday user. Computers have become such a part of our lives that if the system goes down even for one day, we are petrified, fidgety, angry and most of all frustrated. I have tried to outline some basic ways which almost anyone can use to make their PC faster.

Well, the basic step for protecting your system is to install an anti-virus that works for your system. What do I mean by an antivirus that works for you? Well, everyone visits a different set of websites everyday, has a different system configuration, does different things with his/her PC and keeping all that in mind you need to decide which one works for you. This, I say from personal experience.

If you are yet not sure whether you even need an antivirus : Check this out (Scroll down)

The thing to note is that not every Antivirus is suitable for every system and hence you may need to experiment a bit before you find the perfect one.

I am not going to write paragraphs on this, just the 'Good' and the 'Bad'. ASk if you have doubt. 

Note: The software are listed in an alphabetical order and not preferential.

1. AVG Antivirus: 

Good: Only antivirus thats free to use and ranks among the best. Eeffective, easy to use and compatible with almost every computer. Try it out ? Sure, its free !

Bad: No tech support to go to if it falters as its free. May skip some of the viruses. Keep a check.

2. Bit Defender: 

Good : Has earned good reviews based on its superior performance and cost effectiveness. Pocket-friendly.

Bad : The interface is not that friendly and you may need to dig a lot deeper to find the in-depth reports of your scanned files (which lie in the Antivirus and Updates tabs).

3. Esset NOD32: 

Good: An antivirus that is known for its quite simple and user friendly interface, NOD 32 is very simple to use and is usually recommended for beginners. The other advantages of the software include its high detection ratio, no software conflicts and the fact that it won’t drain your system. If you are looking for a fast antivirus, nothing beats the NOD32.

Bad: Slightly on the heavier side in terms of the price. 

4. Kaspersky: The antivirus that I am using presently and am quite happy with it. Does not slow down your system as much as Norton (but more than NOD32), is quite easy to use and most important of all, removes any and every virus from your system, no conflicts with system installation. 

Yet to find a fault (slows down the system during Scanning but then almost every AV does that).

5. Norton: 

Good:  The most popular software that is still used synonymously with the word antivirus in a lot of places. Norton has a great record in keeping your computer virus free in all circumstances.

Bad: The main problem is that it is really heavy on the system, especially if you running low on RAM and other system requirements. It is being said that the 2009 version released is on the faster side, so you may want to try it out.

Free Trial: Test them out

 Almost every antivirus comes with the option of a free trial; use this option to check the compatibility of the software with your system. The trial period is mostly one month which is a good enough period to judge whether the product is working to your satisfaction or not. 

2009 Antivirus Reviews: These links will take you to reviews of the antivirus for the year 2008 and the one they expect to be the best in 2009.

 Caution: Reviews may not always be fair and impartial, read them with a pinch of salt.

 BrotherSoft Top 5  

Top 10 Reviews 

Consumersearch Reviews

PART – II: Optimizing your PC

 Installing an Anti-Virus is one of the common ways to optimize your PC and make it faster but not the only one. There are loads of tips and tricks that can help you make your computer go zoooom…..

Caution: You will find a lot (and I mean a lot) of software on the internet that would promise to make your PC a super-computer (or sort of) by optimizing it and fixing your registry problems. Before downloading any such software, please search about it on the internet (for reviews et al) and scan it as soon as possible if you do download it.

I am outlining a few tricks that I have personally tried and hence can say that they will not have any untoward effects on your system :

Best Appearance: Follow the steps given below and your browsing speed (for your PC, not the net) will increase significantly. There’ll be a little loss of looks though.

  Click on Start --> Right Click ‘My computer’ --> Click ‘Properties’ -->  Click ‘Advanced’ --> Click on ‘Settings’ under ‘Performance’: There will be 4 options:  Chose “Adjust for best performance” --> Click on Apply.

Now, your system would have become faster but you would find your looks to be that of Windows 98. If you do Not want this, after you chose “Adjust for best performance”, and in the boxes given below, chose the one that says “Use visual styles on windows and buttons”. This will help you keep the looks of XP and speed up your system (though lesser in comparison to the first option).

Startup Objects: One of the reasons your computer may be ultra-slow in starting is because there are too many unnecessary and unused objects that initiate at the startup. Here’s how to get rid of them.

Click ‘Start’ --> Click ‘Run’ --> Type ‘msconfig’ --> In the window that opens, click on ‘Startup’ --> Uncheck all the items that you feel you do not need immediately at the system startup --> Click ‘Ok’.

Defragmentation: This is one of the most common methods that is advised by experts but a lot of people skip it. (I recently did it for the first time, that too so that I could write about it in this hub!!). If you have never done it, it will take a very very long time and I would suggest, you start it at the night and by morning, hopefully it would be done. Here’s how you do it :

Click ‘Start’ --> Click ‘All Programs’ --> Click ‘Accessories’ --> Click ‘System Tools’ --> Click ‘Disk Defragmenter’ --> The window of the DD would open now, select the drive you want and click on Defragment. 

The Optimizers: There are hordes of ‘Registry Cleaners’ and Optimizers out there but you need to be careful about the ones you chose as a lot of them have malware/spyware attached with them. The one I use is Advanced SytemCare (Review of ASC) and so far, its been good. The trial version is free to use and is quite optimum enough for your needs but if you really like it, you can buy it too.

NOTE: Always, whatever it may be that you download, scan it before opening.

Check out the Links: Okay, Now there are loads of ways to improve your PC speed and if I went on to write them all, I would have a hub longer than the Lord of the Rings. So, I have attached some videos, which I have watched, tried and found useful. Check them out for more great options.

Also, you will find a list of hubs on hubpages that deal with this subject... at the bottom.

 The All-in-One IM: Get rid of all of your IM software and install Digsby. This is your one stop shop for messaging, chatting, receiving email notifications (from Yahoo, AIM, Gtalk, MSN etc.) and keeping updated with your facebook, twiiter et al buddies. 

If Anything Goes Wrong : The Back-Up Plan 

Although it has not happened to me, you never know when you computer may refuse to start. It may be due to a lot of reasons and here’s how you go about getting it back on track: 

System Restore:

This tool will restore your system to a previous position (through a restore point that the Operating system makes regularly). So all you have to do is:

 Click ‘Start’ -->All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Restore: The SR window will now open, chose the option ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’ --> Click Next Chose any of the previous dates (Chose the one where you remember your PC was working fine) and then go forward with it. Will takes around 10-15 minutes but your system will be back up and running. 

Installing XP: If nothing works, the last step is to Format your system and re-install XP. I know that even the thought of this makes some people cringe but its not that hard. It really is quite simple, use the links below to understand that. Just take a print-out of the tutorial and keep it at hand while installing….

Reformatting-Computer-Windows-Xp

Windowsxp_install.htm