Friday, June 3, 2011

Completely Secure Your PC for Free!

You just setup your new PC, and Windows boots up for the first time. While looking at all of your pre-Installed Software, you begin seeing all kinds of programs you didn't want. A copy of (Enter Popular and Expensive Anti-Virus Name Here) is running and you have a whopping 30 day free trial! Of course with the 30 day trial, a pop up message of some sort continuously harasses you to purchase to the Anti-Virus Program, until you either uninstall it or buy it. Un-installing the software can be intimidating. Warnings state "Your PC may be at risk!", and who wants that? So you cave in, pull out your credit card and purchase your One-Year-Valid copy of (Enter Popular and Expensive Anti-Virus Name Here) and feel safe, secure and sure it was all worth it (until 365 days pass, and you must re-purchase the software all over again at a much higher price you will find it new in the stores). Well, I am here to show you a better, and much cheaper way of securing your PC, without an expensive yearly membership. Waste your hard earned money on a gym you will never go to, or better yet Optimum Guitar Lessons! I had to throw that in...

The first step in securing your brand new PC is completely Un-installing your Trial Anti-Virus Software. I recommend using Revo Uninstaller, downloaded for free here:

http://www.download.com/

-- Install Revo Uninstaller

-- Use Revo Uninstaller to uninstall your trial anti-virus program.

-- Use the recommended Uninstall Settings and READ CAREFULLY!

-- Uninstall any other unnecessary "Bloat Ware" on your PC that you will never use.

Now that your trial Anti-Virus is uninstalled, time to pick out a Free version. I recommend Microsoft Security Essentials, found here:

www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/

Security Essentials is free from Microsoft.

For an alternative, I also recommend Avast Free Anti-Virus. Just enter Avast Free in the search bar for the latest version of Avast.
This Software is FREE here:

http://www.download.com/

-- Install one of the above Anti-Virus Programs.

One last thing to do to ensure that your PC will keep running smooth is to install system cleaning or "optimization" software. Although Revo-Uninstaller offers some of the same options, for system maintenance I recommend CCleaner, also found at:

http://www.download.com/

-- Install CCleaner

Run the Windows Cleaner to rid yourself of junk files. Run the Registry Cleaner to keep your PC's registry in order (ALWAYS BACK UP THE REGISTRY WHEN USING CCLEANER!). I would create a folder somewhere called "CCLeaner Registry Backup" and keep the backup files all in one place.

Now that all the security and maintenance software is installed, make sure you keep your anti-virus up to date. Always upgrading to the latest CCleaner and Revo-Uninstaller is also recommended. I would Uninstall using Revo, and keep my PC clean with CCleaner.

Entire cost to you: $0.00, without any annoying bill reminders every year!

-- David Abi-Nader

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