My recommended anti-viruses

I'll keep this short and sweet.  I get asked constantly what I recommend for Anti-Virus software.  For the home user, you can't beat this combo, it's $25 total, uses very little memory (RAM), and is what I use personally.

1st: Avast! Anti-Virus (Free Edition) This has been competing head to head with AVG for years, but has one huge edge that a lot of reviewers fail to mention.  The inclusion of a boot-time scan.  9/10 People don't think of making a boot CD until it's too late.  But with Avast!, you simply select a boot-time scan and hit restart, preventing almost all viruses from avoiding the Avast axe.
PRO TIP: After installing, go into the main GUI window and under "Summary" be sure to turn on "Gaming/Silent Mode" to "Permanent", this will prevent the Avast lady screaming your Avast virus database has been updated at 2am over your computer speakers.

2nd: MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.  The current reigning champ for destroying the new trend of malware.  For $25 you get a lifetime subscription, and automatic scanning.  If $25 is out of your price range, there is a free version available, but you better remember to manually scan on at least a weekly basis.

With Avast! searching for the old school virii and trojans, while MalwareBytes looks out for the new threats, I have yet to have one returning customer that had a system crippling virus.

~Matt

Severe Malware Alert 1/21/12 - Be wary of fake Adobe updates & PDF's.

In the past few days I've seen a pattern of infected PC's with the same symptoms.  After doing some digging on the last few machines and asking the owners a few questions, I've confirmed that there has been a very wide spread virus hitting your mailboxes and favorite websites this week.  It is either disguised as an Adobe program update (Flash, Distiller, Acrobat Reader) or is an attached exe on an e-mail with a PDF logo so you think you're simply opening a PDF, (e.g. ESTORNO5540452C.PDF.exe).

To avoid this type of infection,
1) NEVER click a window saying you need to update program xyz, even if it looks legit.  To update that program, you can open it up yourself and have it check for updates directly, usually under the "File" or "Help" menus.  Or go to their website and download the new version.

2) NEVER open an .exe file from ANYONE. Also even if it may look like a word or PDF file because of the icon, it still may be an exe.  Always check the end of the name.

Other than that, keep your Anti-Virus up to date, your Anti-Malware up to date, and your Windows up to date.

~Matthew