What is the WORST a virus could do to your computer?

[Nick G]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your mum's virus. They are fucking annoying, I know!

Well, basically, the worst thing a virus could do is delete everything including the Windows folder and stop your computer from ever working again! Not nice!

As for the best antivirus, there are many good products on the market, and it's hard to know what is best. NOD32 is supposed to be good but I've picked up viruses with it! Norton AntiVirus is known to be crap so stay away from that.

I reccommend Avira Antivirus, which is really good and free - http://www.free-av.com <-- That's what I run and I swear by it. You will need to uninstall your existing antivirus before installing a new one, and should only ever run one at any time.

You should also make sure that you have a good firewall - Windows Firewall is crap. I reccommend COMODO - http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-secu...rewall.php . It can be a little difficult for not very experienced computer users, but it's a good firewall. If it asks you if you want other internet security options with it, say "yes" to all except antivirus.

There are many other anti-malware programs which you can download, but they must be compatible with each other and anti-virus.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (http://www.malwarebytes.org/) is great and is fully compatible with Avira, COMODO and SuperAntiSpyware.

SuperAntiSpyware (http://www.superantispyware.com/) is also great and is fully compatible with Avira, COMODO and Malwarebytes.

If you are running Windows then remember to install all updates (or all updates except those with "Geuine" in the title if you are unsure how genuine your Microsoft products are) because Windows Updates do help keep your computer secure!

If you are unsure what is running on your computer and if it is good or bad, download HijackThis (http://www.hijackthis.de/). The software can scan your computer and then you can copy and paste the report into the website and it will give you a lot more information about your computer.

Also, if you have problems deleting files which say you do not have access, use Unlocker (http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Syst...er.shtml).

Remember to scan your computer regularly, keep your security settings high, and ask others if you are unsure. There are many computer professionals who give free help online (on Facebook, on computer forums, etc.) so do ask for advice if you need it!

Good luck with cleaning your mum's computer!