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Using Avast to keep your computer Virus-Free
Now you've downloaded Avast...
You haven't?
In that case, click here get the latest version of Avast.
The size of the program is about 23 megabytes, so you can expect a download time of around 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your internet connection's speed, just enough time to have a cup of tea or maybe something a bit stronger.
Once it finishes downloading, simply double-click on the file to install Avast. |
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Ok, now you've actually downloaded Avast...
It's time to get the program registered.
Registration is free and lasts for 14 months.
The general idea here is to impress you so much with the free version's powers, you'll be unable to resist buying the professional version, which rolls out at €35.95.
Personally I'd have to say that if you're willing to pay for an anti-virus program, you'd be better off buying a nifty little number called Nod32; but that is beside the point really. |
In any case, after the program is installed, it needs to be registered to provide you with ongoing anti-virus cover.
First of all, click here to visit the Avast Home Edition registration page and select the 'I'm a new user and need a registration key' option from the onscreen menu. When you click the 'Register' button, an activation key is automatically sent to your email address. Once you receive this activation key, click here to visit the Avast activation key tutorial.
Ok... you've downloaded, you've installed, you've registered. Now what?
Avast is actually a really simple program to use on a day-to-day basis, since it is basically self-contained and content to simply work in the background until something untowards tries to invade your computer.
| Towards the bottom-right of your screen, somewhere near your computer's clock, you will notice a small round icon. This is Avast's resident scanner which keeps track of your computer at all times. |
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If you right-click on the Resident Scanner Icon, you're confronted with the following menu.
Now select 'On-Access Protection Control' and left-click. |
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This in turn opens the Avast Control Panel, which breaks down as follows:
- The 'Play' Button
In effect, this is the 'Start Button', used to initiate an anti-virus scan of your computer's hard drive, CD drive or memory stick.
- Resident-Scanner Sensitivity Control
Basically, this is Avast's 'Paranoia Control'. If you set it on low, it's as laid-back as a Dutchman on Space Cakes; set it on high, it becomes a hardcore American Conspiracy Theorist. Its default state of being is medium-sensitivity, which probably equates to the way Gordon Brown felt a few days after Tony Blair stepped down.
Bear in mind that if you set it to 'Conspiracy Theorist Mode', it will interrogate everything in-depth and slow down your computer.
- The Virus Chest
This is Avast's Prison. It's where viruses are banished once they've been discovered. Anything which is dumped in here is best left alone.
- Removable Media Control
Use this if you want to specifically scan CDs, DVDs or Floppy Disks. Once again, this control's sensitivity can be set individually, and the above rules apply.
- Local Disk Control
This button lets you specifically scan your computer's hard drive[s] with the same sensitivity controls as the Removable Media Control.
- The 'Stop' Button
Any scan which is currently in progress can be stopped with this control.
- Live Update
By default, Avast will update its anti-virus database once a day. This control allows the user to override the normal update cycle and manually update the database.
- The Folder Control
Should you wish to scan specific folders on your computer, such as 'My Documents' for instance, this button allows you to select them individually.
Ultimately, Avast is what I would call a 'Fire and Forget' program. Once it is installed, it can pretty much be relied upon to simply sit in the background and do its job quietly. Nevertheless, it is still a good idea to run a thorough scan of your system on a weekly or at least fortnightly basis.
And that's it, job done. Your computer is now protected. |
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