What do anti-virus, anti-malware and anti-spyware have to do with SEO. Well, I include this important section in every website analysis and proposal I prepare for three very important reasons:
1. As we are working together we will be sharing files back and forth via email, file downloads and possibly even FTP on my servers if the project requires. This gives us both piece of mind that we are not sharing viruses or malware.
2. Not many people are aware of how susceptible they are to viruses, malware and spyware. As my client, I want you to be protected. Malicious programs suck time and money out of our lives. The loss of either diminishes productivity.
3. It’s just too important not to share this information.
Now, before I go any further, all of these programs are free, I don’t make any commission if you buy the upgraded professional editions and the links I provide here are trusted links. If you download these programs from any other source, then don’t say I didn’t warn you. There are so many programs and download sites out there that pose as ‘security programs’ and ‘trusted sites’ that I cannot even begin to list them.
Rule of Thumb
Unless you ABSOLUTELY know what you are downloading - DON’T. If it sounds too good to be true - it is. And if it offers to tell you ‘who has been stalking your Facebook profile’, gives away a free iPod, iPad, iPhone or cruise to the Bahamas for downloading it OR clicking on it, then it is a virus 100% of the time. (I haven’t heard of the Bahamas cruise one, but you get my point).
Another quick thing to mention is that when you install free tools, some will ask you to install their tool bar and set their home page as your default. It’s not an unreasonable request for a free program, but just read the install procedures and un-check the boxes for anything you don’t want.
Avast Antivirus
Let’s start with Avast. I personally do not like Norton, McAfee or any of the other ‘common’ virus protection software brands. Most of the viruses out there are designed specifically to get through the more common virus programs simply because… well… they are so common. Dell ships their computers with Norton pre-installed and McAffee has been passed around so much that it has its own red light district. (Kidding) The point is that having these programs on your computer is a security risk in itself in my opinion. That’s why I use Avast. It’s not as common, it is used by a lot of geeks, and it’s a solid antivirus program with a free version that is simply stellar. You can download the free version here: http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
NOTE: Remember to completely uninstall your current antivirus program with a thorough uninstall program such as Revo Uninstaller Pro before you install Avast.
Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities is a free and very simple program that is quite powerful. It cleans your registry, fixes broken shortcuts, checks your startup files, cleans out temporary files and removes (some) spyware in just one click. Although it is not an end-all solution, it is a good program that will help keep your computer running smoothly. My recommendation is to install it, run it three times in a row and then set it to run once a week in the background (paid edition only). It’s a helpful little program that I recommend highly. You can download it here: http://www.glarysoft.com/products/utilities/glary-utilities/
Malwarebytes
Another geek favorite, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a very powerful free program that is extremely good at determining the difference between a dangerous app and a false positive. It works great to prevent you from ‘accidentally’ visiting malicious sites. Now I do have to mention that the little ‘warnings’ that pop up every once in a while can get a bit annoying and you cannot shut them off, but for the most part they are unobtrusive. I would rather have little annoying balloons pop-up every once in a while then a really annoying malicious program any day, so I recommend this program highly as well. You can download it from cnet here: http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html. Please be sure to click on the button that resembles the button I have above. Cnet is a highly trusted download site, but the people that run ads on it are not always and they purposely use ‘start download’ buttons on their ads. Just be sure you don’t click on an ad. Here’s a screenshot so that you see what I am talking about here.
Don't click on the ads when trying to download anything from cnet:
Now, onto my next recommendation:
SuperAntiSpyware
SuperAntiSpyware is an awesome little program that detects and removes tracking cookies that are missed by most other programs. I do have to mention here that although I have used this program for many years, I have had problems with it locking up my system on reboot from time to time. I have had to disable it every now and then, so if you are not comfortable with shutting this down every few months then don’t download it. I love the program enough to put up with this annoying little drawback, but ultimately it’s up to you if you. If anything, I would install the free version run it once, reboot and then uninstall it. I have a lifetime professional version and it always recognizes my email address and installs my professional version when I have had to delete and reinstall it. You can download it here: http://www.superantispyware.com/index.html
BONUS PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION
SnagIt
NOTE that SnagIt is not a free program. It is a free 30 day trial. Many of my clients ask me how I get and share screenshots so easily and this is it. It’s a $50 program, but it records on screen with sound, captures screenshots, lets me put in those neat little arrows & circles to point things out, and is just a general overall timesaver for me. I can’t give you screenshots of the screenshot program because it does a really good job of getting out of the way for captures, but it’s very simple to use so you will never need me to send you a screenshot or video of how to use it. (Oh… and it makes you look smart… lol)
Ok… that’s it for the recommended programs. I use Windows XP Professional with my system set for high performance so this is how my taskbar looks. From left to right are SuperAntiSpyware, SnagIt, Skype, Avast, and Malwarebytes. This way you can see that the little bug logo there… it’s supposed to be there and everything works in real-time to protect you (some require the professional versions for real-time protection).
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