Virus & Spyware Removal.

Many virus & spyware writers develop their programmes to operate not just against the operating system but also to try and defeat a leading protection software brand they are focussing on, this being a major target and a way of proving real standing among fellow virus developers.

This could be bad news if you are using the targeted Anti-Virus software and get infected before the new definition file is released.

To help in this continual fight the following little trick was recommended to me by a systems programmer from a large commercial software house involved in virus protection software.

As an extensive user on the Internet, and through experience I have come to perform full system virus and spyware scans using two separate packages at least twice a week, and more frequently during high risk times. You will find that during a scan the software you are scanning with may not recognise the infected file if its definition has not been loaded on to your system, but your other protection software monitoring your system in the background will hopefully pick it up. This has happened to me twice last year.

So why will one detect it but not the other. Well besides Anti-virus and Anti-spyware software using definition files they also use advanced algorithms when scanning to try and detect potential infected files through the structure of the file code that have not been seen yet and countered by the software house. As both software packages use different algorithms you stand a better chance of detecting that virus attack when it's first released.

Basically I use one of the main software packages that's always monitoring all system activity as normal. I then use a second reputable but free software package that is not continually enabled until I run a system scan. Of course you need to update its definition files before running.

Its best not to have both running constantly as it really slows down your computer and several conflicts can arise if you are surfing, so its best used only at a set maintenance period.

As computers become more important in our home life a new breed of company has evolved that will help you. For a lot of people, they need the confidence that they have removed that infected file or that they are clear of spyware files. A company in the US has recently expanded their Internet support and for a small cost will peform the following

• Scan your computer's memory and hard drives for security threats
• Identify hidden and high risk computer software
• Remove malicious software and threats
• Review and update anti-spyware and anti-virus definitions and software
• Identify and update any missing Microsoft Windows updates
• Advise you on how to avoid future infections

For more information visit http://www.pc-tools.us

I hope this helps.

John