Viruses are roller coaster of a hot topic. It seems every time a major virus breaks out, everyone suddenly becomes concerned about how well their computer is protected. Well there's a way to never have to worry about it and it's all free.

Virus scanners are an integral part of computer and network security, so all I'll say is that you need a router to protect your computer from your public IP, and to be careful when accepting unfamiliar emails or pop-up questions. I will cover security in more depth in a later article, but assuming you already use these techneaks, on to a virus scanner.

The two major virus scanners that people are familiar with are McAfee and Norton. Of the two, in my experience McAfee seems to wreak the least amount of havoc on your system resources. There are other products out there such as Trend Micro and Sophos that seem to do just as good, if not better.

But the point is free. There are some highly respected free scanners out there, one in particular, that gets the job done. Now Trend Micro offers a free online virus scan that works well but I would suggest having a broadband connection. This is a one-time scan that will not protect you in real-time. Grisoft's AVG is a downloadable, free, real-time protection scanner that has earned a dedicated following. However, this product is only free for personal use, and I've seen complications arise that result in you paying to have your computer serviced, which can cost more than any virus scanner.

The product that I recommend, and use, is ClamWin. ClamWin is an open source product, published under the GPL. The program offers real-time protection, scheduled scans, and automatically updates it's virus definitions. It is a virus scanner, not a "security suite", and produces a negligible impact on system resources. And since it's an open source product, security is fixed immediately.

So put your workstation behind a router, get ClamWin, and be cautious (not paranoid) about what you are doing in the Internet and your email. The router will allow you to share your internet connection securely throughout your home network saving you time and money. If you feel like you absolutely must buy a virus scanner, go to Amazon.com and lookup the customer reviews. This is the best way to get the scoop about which product will best fit your needs.