Every time you connect to the Internet, browse websites, download files, read emails, do online banking and a number of other things you can potentially get bombarded with viruses and spyware, or become a fraud or identity theft victim. That’s why it’s so important to keep your computer fully protected.

Auslogics Antivirus is one of the most comprehensive antiviruses available on the market. Reliable and feature-packed, it will protect you from viruses, trojans, spyware, identity theft, and other known and unknown threats, and can also operate in Safe Mode to remove resilient viruses. Like all Auslogics’ products it’s fast, doesn’t affect computer performance, and has sleek Windows 7-style user interface.

Let’s have a look at what it has to offer:

1. Real-time Protection

Auslogics Antivirus offers constant real-time PC protection. It scans all accessed files, emails, web sites, and IM chats for possible threats and blocks any attempts to modify system files. The program uses both heuristics and a virus/spyware database to provide maximum protection. Its Active Virus Control feature protects from new threats by analysing the activity of all running applications.

2. Privacy Control

In the past few years identity theft has become a huge issue. That’s why it’s so important to have software that successfully blocks spyware, trojans, keyloggers, phishing, and other data theft tools.  Auslogics Antivirus Privacy Control does all that and more. It will protect all your sensitive data, like bank card numbers, Internet banking details,  and all your passwords, from being stolen by hackers.

Privacy Control offers four-level protection:

• Identity Control protects your confidential data by analysing all outgoing traffic.
• Registry Control monitors the Registry and warns you if any applications are trying to modify it, so that they can be executed on Windows startup.
• Cookie Control doesn’t allow web sites to put cookies onto your computer without your permission.
• Script Control asks for your permission for any scripts to be executed.

3. Network Module

This feature was designed for those who have home network and are concerned about its security. You can set a master computer from which you will be able to run scans, view logs, fix security issues, and update the program on all network computers.

4. Customization Options

Auslogics Antivirus has extensive customization options that make it an ideal fit for both novice and experienced users, as well as gamers and laptop users. You can either select a profile that best describes the way you use you computer (Typical or Gamer), or select the Custom profile and configure the settings to fit your particular needs.

Apart from that, Auslogics Antivirus has different modes, that will suit most users:

• Game Mode makes sure that Auslogics Antivirus will not interrupt you when you are playing games. It starts automatically when you run an application from a trusted game list or when an application goes to full screen. Game Mode disables all alerts, pop-ups, and scheduled scans, and becomes unintrusive without reducing computer protection level.

• Laptop Mode starts automatically every time your laptop switches to battery power. It will minimize the program’s power consumption while keeping your laptop secure.

• Novice Mode will suit computer beginners and those who don’t want to fiddle with antivirus settings. It’s extremely easy to use – all security issues can be fixed by clicking on the Fix All Issues button.

• Intermediate Mode user interface has five tabs – a tab for each security module.  This mode is for those who have better computer knowledge, or want to have more customization options.

• Expert Mode interface offers the most complete list of settings, as well as extensive customization and monitoring options. This mode allows to manually configure each function of the program.

Auslogics Antivirus is compatible with Windows 7/Vista/2008/XP/2003, 32-bit and 64-bit and dual-core CPU.  You can download a free unrestricted 30-day trial version here. If you like it, you can then buy a one year license for $29.95 USD.

Have you ever wondered which program runs which processes? I know that I have. Go on, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to open Windows Task Manager and go to the Processes tab. Do you know exactly what each process does? If your answer is “Yes”, then you are a computer genius. If “No”, I have good news for you – now there is a place where you can inspect Windows processes and learn the truth about them -  Fileinspect.com.

You won’t need to download any software – just open the website and type in a process name in the search box. Each process is rated (safe-unsafe-dangerous) and thoroughly explained.

How Is This Site Useful?

Let me give you an example.

Even if you know exactly which programs are installed on your computer, you can’t be sure it hasn’t got any malware. When your PC is infected, it might start acting weird, slow down, display pop-ups, etc. Or it might not. Malware will just run different processes in the background and you will never have a clue until something terrible happens. Like all your passwords, bank details and other personal information getting stolen.

Unfortunately viruses, Trojans,  and other malware often mask themselves as safe files and processes. So even when you take a quick look at your Task Manager, you won’t notice a thing. For example, usually lsass.exe is a safe system file. But sometimes it’s a Trojan pretending to be lsass.exe.

That’s when Fileinspect.com will help you. Type in the process name and you will get all the necessary information about it. This way you’ll be able to detect and remove malware before it actually does anything to your system.

Also this process library can prove very useful if you are trying to establish what causes your computer to crash.

In all, this is an excellent website to help you troubleshoot your PC and find out more about Windows processes.

I’m sure that you have some sort of anti-virus software installed. But sadly it’s not enough to fully protect your system. Why? Because most basic anti-viruses do nothing when it comes to spyware and adware. They are just not made that way. That’s why your computer might get infected even if your anti-virus software is enabled and updated regularly.

Usually spyware and adware are not as harmful as viruses, but amongst other things they can seriously affect your computer performance. So, if your PC becomes unusually slow all of a sudden, or starts acting up – for example, shows you pop-up windows even when you’re not connected to the Internet, there is a fair chance that it’s infected.

Most of the times removing spyware and adware is not such a big deal – you just need the right software. But of course it’s best to not get infected in the first place. Below are three simple tips that will help you stay away from spyware and adware.

Always Read the EULA

The reason why spyware and adware get onto your PC so easily is that quite often you actually agree to install them. How does this happen? Well, a lot of freeware programs contain spyware or adware – that’s how their developers earn money. Funnily enough, that fact is usually mentioned in the EULA (End User License Agreement). When installing new software, most people just click I Agree without reading a single line of it. So when you agree to install that particular software, you agree to install spyware with it.

Download Only from Trusted Websites

Usually unreliable programs come from unscrupulous websites. So if you are looking for software, it’s best to download it from reputable sources, like download.com, tucows.com and other well-known sites.

Share Data And Surf the Web Carefully

Whenever your computer accesses data from another source, like a USB flash drive, external hard drive, CD/DVD, email attachment and so on, the risk of getting infected is increased. Always scan new, especially suspicious-looking, files for viruses and spyware/adware. Avoid opening and saving email attachments from people you don’t know, and even from your friends if the attachment looks weird – some malicious programs attach files to emails without the sender’s knowledge. It won’t take much time to send your friend or colleague and email asking if they sent you that file or not. Don’t visit sites that have strange-looking URLs – they might be loaded with malware that only waits to install itself to your computer.

You can’t be too careful when it comes to spyware and adware. And one of the best solutions is to watch out.