Hi Al as well as everybody else in here!
This is what you need to do in order to protect your computer (I apologize for the hijack, but this is also meant for everyone else as well!)... Instead of using the overpriced, unreliable anti-virus/anti-virus/firewall and encryption software that is sold in stores, go online to this website:
http://download.cnet.com/windows/Look for Avira, or better yet, download this antivirus which one of the best - PERIOD and it's FREE!!! :)
http://download.cnet.com/Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10322935.html?tag=mncol;popAlso, this is one of the best spyware removers in the market and this one is FREE too!!! :) Note! I use more than one anti-spyware application because unlike using more than one anti-virus application, they do NOT tend to cancel each such tow or more competing anti-virus application will do ,so it is strongly suggested to use more than one anti-spyware application
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol;popHere is an excellent as well as powerful Firewall I've been using recently which I think is not only user friendly, but also probably one of the best three firewalls out there whether it is freeware or NOT!!! Btw, this one is FREE as well as the previous software, and when I say FREE - I mean Free not only to try, but free for as long as you use it!!! ;)
http://download.cnet.com/Online-Armor-Free/3000-10435_4-10426782.html?tag=mncolI also use the old tried and true Zone Alarm freeware version on my laptop which works just fine for me:
http://download.cnet.com/ZoneAlarm/3000-10435_4-10039884.html?tag=mncolNow for encryption software which is software that scrambles you sensitive files that may have personal, or confidential data is used just in case someone decides to take all of the time and effort to hack through your firewall, to infect you with a virus, to plant some spyware int. your computer, they will be stopped COLD if they run into files and folders that are encrypted with this type of software application... There are a few good one to use, so here are the ones I use and so far, (Knock on some good wood!) I haven't had any intrusions with the use of these applications even though they are NOT in one of those so-called "bundle" configurations which I personally think are software packages to avoid because the always tend to have one weak link in their "bundled chain" of security software to be used in order to protect your computer! In any event, here's some excellent encryption software for personal use... This one is named "Truecrypt":
http://download.cnet.com/TrueCrypt/3000-2092_4-10527243.html?tag=mncolThis one is named "Kruptos 2":
http://download.cnet.com/Kruptos-2/3000-2092_4-10446164.html?tag=mncolThis one is named "FlyingBit Password Keeper":
http://download.cnet.com/FlyingBit-Password-Keeper/3000-2092_4-10846928.html?tag=mncolThis one is probably the best free encryption software ouit there named :Androsa FileProtector 1.4.2
This software application is like having another firewall without worrying about whether or not it will conflict with your existing one because technically it is NOT a firewall but instead, it's a very sophisticated type of active encryption software...It's named "iPig Server PRO Edition":
http://download.cnet.com/iPig-Server-PRO-Edition/3000-2092_4-10453777.html?tag=mncolAll of these applications have worked for me in flawless manner for quite some time, and I get these applications before they even are posted in Cnet. com from an old friend of mine that works for IBM who goes all over the country to troubleshoot and fix corporate IT departments, so I kind of get to test this stuff first, but I'm able to do so by having more than one computer online which I can isolate form my network if I need to in order to test the software and so far, after two years of testing all of the apps I posted, there isn't oneo f these that have failed on me yet!!! :) :) :) And that says a BOAT LOAD!!! :) :) :)
So, please feel free to try these out for yourselves!
Respectfully,
Henry