A computer virus is a piece of code or program, that can copy itself and alters the way a computer operates.  It is designed to have a detrimental effect on your computer, such as corrupting or destroying data.

Malware, short for Malicious Software, is an intrusive program that is designed to allow ‘hackers’ access to steal your data and damage or destroy your computer.

These are some indications your computer has a virus or malware:

• Frequent pop-ups
• People in your address book responding to email messages you did not send
• Your computer performance is uneven – sometimes fine, sometimes slow
• You notice new programs/toolbars you don’t recall installing.
• You’re having trouble accessing some websites, either access is denied, or you get redirected to another page.
• You have problems shutting down or restarting your computer, or you get frequent system crashes and/or error messages.

Antivirus software searches for, detects and/or prevents malicious software and viruses on your computer, laptop, or mobile device.

Antivirus products work by scanning incoming files, emails or code that’s being passed through your network traffic.  The antivirus software is programmed to recognise known viruses and malware. Once installed, most antivirus software runs automatically in the background to provide real-time protection.  It should update frequently enough to keep abreast of the latest known viruses and malware.

The Laptop Man recommends Trend Micro, as it combines malware scanning and real-time protection without being intrusive to the user. It works quietly in the background, with no annoying pop-ups suggesting you purchase add-on features. Trend Worry-Free reports any functionality issues to us, so that we can make sure it is working properly for you.