We are frequently asked what software people should use to prevent / clean viruses, spyware (malware), and other tools. Sometimes, we are even asked what we use. Below is a list of software that we not only recommend, but we use on our computers at home and around the office. All of these programs are fairly easy to use, but as with any other software, we at Skyward PC cannot take any responsibility for improper use or installation, or if the software causes undesired operation.

As a warning, these offer great protection in the majority of cases. However, there are some pieces of malware that can circumvent security programs, and may not be easily removed. In this case, we advise you to bring your computer in, or arrange for an on-site appointment, as improper removal can damage your computer's operating system and software.


Anti-Virus

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AVG Anti-Virus: AVG Free Edition provides great basic protection for home users. While some of the newest pieces of malware target Norton and McAfee, Avast holds firm against most malware. Furthermore, it does this without significantly slowing down your computer, unlike other anti-virus software does. With daily scans and updates, you can't afford to go without even basic protection.

If you are a business (as the free edition is not for business users, and is not recommended for those environments), or are a home user looking for more flexible protection, please contact us for advise on other products.


Anti-Spyware

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Spybot: Search & Destroy: Spybot is one of the best anti-spyware programs. Not only does it detect and attempt to repair the vast majority of spyware, it can also help to immunize your computer from future issues. For non-commercial use only. Commercial users need to purchase a license directly from Spybot.

Windows Defender: If you have genuine copy of Windows XP, you can download and use Windows Defender. Windows Defender also removes the vast majority of spyware and, like most anti-virus programs, does a periodic scan to ensure your computer stays fairly clean. If you have Windows Vista, you already have it installed, so we advise you ensure it stays up-to-date and make sure it's set to do regular scans.


Web Browsers

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Mozilla Firefox: In just three years, Mozilla Firefox has gone from having no market share to capturing approximately 15% of the browser markert share. An award-winner and a formidable competitor to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Firefox isn't subject to many of the attacks (and the ability to stealthly install malware) that Internet Explorer is subject to. Furthermore, when it is subject to any security flaws, the software is updated fairly quickly (Internet Explorer cannot make this claim), and will let you know when an upgrade is available.

Internet Links

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Speed Test.net: Speedtest.net is a broadband speed analysis tool that allows anyone to test their Internet connection. Whether you test just for fun or you really need to certify and validate the true speed of your Internet connectivity, Speedtest.net is the place to be. You can view all of your historical results, share them easily, and even compare them to others in your immediate area or around the globe.



Other Software

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IrfanView: IrfanView is a great small image viewer that even allows you to do minor edits. It can also convert images from one format to another (such as JPEG to GIF).

G.I.M.P.: GNU Image Manipulation Program: G.I.M.P is a very robust picture / image manipulation program that is TOTALLY FREE.  G.I.M.P. is an Adobe Photoshop clone program that can do basic image resize and also very complex image manipulations.

OpenOffice.org: OpenOffice.org is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.