Anti-Virus Software - Why not get a free version?

A question we are asked often at Creative Computing is why anyone would want to spend money on Anti-Virus software when free versions are ready available?

Companies like AVG and Microsoft have been providing security software free of charge for a number of years and many people do choose them as their primary defence against malware and viruses.

To use AVG as an example though, the company provide a free version of their software and they also have a version which is paid for annually. The free version obviously doesn't protect a PC as well as the one you pay for.

For experienced PC users free AV software may be adequate, but if you are not as familiar with using a computer it is a lot easier to click a wrong link on the web or open what looks like a genuine email and then you can be in a whole world of trouble.

As a company we actually recommend Bullguard Internet Security. When you look online at the latest AV charts Bullguard always competes at the highest level, and when you compare proactive and reactive detection rates it is clear to see why you would want to pay a small premium of £25 for such a high level of protection. As well as Anti-Virus and firewall protection, Bullguard also has it's own Spamfilter to help reduce the amount of unwanted emails, which in-turn reduces the risk of opening infected emails.

To help the less experienced web-surfer Bullguard will flag any unsafe website keeping you clear on which websites are genuine.

The Vulnerability Scanner checks your computer for out-dated software to make sure hackers can't exploit weak points in your software.

My favourite addition to the software is the PC Tune Up facility. It checks for unnecessary files in the recycle bin, temporary internet and temporary files as well as cleaning any Windows service pack update backup files. These are the files which can add up to gigabytes of wasted space on the computer and also can lead to your PC running slow.

In conclusion, paying a small price for improved Anti-Virus software is not only better value for extra programs but for higher proactive and reactive detection rates. This means that if you get a virus it will find it quicker and clean it, but more importantly it will more prepared to stop the Viruses and Malware from getting in in the first place.

Search Google for 'RAP averages quadrant' for the latest AV Charts.

Windows 8/ Windows 8.1 Tips

With the introduction of Windows 8, and subsequently Windows 8.1, I feel many people have been paying too much attention to the bad hype surrounding the latest addition to Windows, rather than trying it out first.
It is a myth that Windows 8 or 8.1 needs a touch screen, the majority of systems we sell don’t have touch, but still function perfectly with a keyboard and mouse.

Keep in mind that Windows is an operating system; its main purpose is to give you a way of opening your programs (Word, Excel, Internet Explorer etc.).
A lot of preaching is made of how an operating system looks rather than how it works. The primary focus for a home-user should be how quickly we can open our programs, and carry out tasks we do, on a day-to-day basis.

Here I will detail five tips guaranteed to make the transition to Windows 8/8.1 less daunting.
The guide assumes you don’t have a touchscreen and are using a keyboard and mouse:

1.  Tidy up the start screen:
   If your desk in the house was cluttered with papers and unnecessary items, the first thing you would do is tidy it up.
   This should be one of the first steps when purchasing a new computer or laptop.Here is an example of default Start Screen:
   
         By right-clicking on icons on the start screen you have the option to ‘unpin from Start’. This just removes the icon from the Start screen, it doesn’t uninstall the program. If you go through all the icons which are not relevant to you and unpin them from the Start screen, you will be left with a nice, colourful, uncluttered array of your most commonly used programs ready to open with one click when your computer starts.
   
   Here is an example of a tidied Start Screen:
   

   

   Also keep in mind you can search for a program and ‘pin to start’ by right-clicking the search result and selecting the option ‘pin to Start’, which leads me to…
   
   
   
2. Use the Search charm:
   By now you should have an organised Start screen ready for action, but if you want to view or open a program which isn’t displayed, the easiest and quickest way to open it is by using the charm bar.
   To open the charm bar, move your mouse cursor up to the top-right corner of the screen and you will see a menu ‘pop out’ from the right hand side:
   
   For now we will just concentrate on the first of the icons, in the shape of a magnifying glass, Search:
   
   
   If you left click this icon a search bar will appear. If you type into it, the operating system will scan your computer for all programs, files and settings which contain the text you typed into the search bar.
   From here you can left-click to open or right-click for more options like ‘pin to Start’ or ‘pin to Start’:
   
   Using Search is a better way to get to files and programs, rather than the old way of clicking, Start, then, Programs, then, All Programs, and then moving along to the program you want to open!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Windows Key + i:
   When Windows 8 was first introduced, I sat in a room full of IT professionals at a Microsoft Windows 8 product launch. The first question posed to the Microsoft guru was “How do I turn it off?” to which everyone present waited with baited breath for the all-important answer to such a basic question! 
   There is actually more than one way, but by holding down the windows key and pressing the letter i, you are presented with a list of options including the Power (shutdown, restart and sleep) button. 
   
   This handy list also helps you connect to wired and wireless networks, deal with PC settings and personalise your PC or laptop.
   
   At least you won’t look like an idiot in a room full of IT professionals now.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Windows Key + x:
   As much as you won’t want to get too bogged down on all the techy mumbo jumbo (that’s what we’re here for), sometimes a support technician will ask to talk you through a few ‘under-the-hood’ tasks and you will want to know how to get there.
   By holding down the windows key and pressing the letter x, you will be given a list of administrative tasks on the left-hand side of the screen. 
   
   This has a link to everything you will need to carry out even the most complex of maintenance to your computer or laptop. With Windows 8.1 it even has a shutdown option from here too!
   
   
   
   
   
5. How to close an app:
   Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 both come with lots of built-in apps (applications).
   When you open a Windows app there is no red x in the top-right hand corner any more. This leads to the question “How do I close the program down then?” to do this is quite straight forward.
   First move your cursor to the top of the screen; you will notice the arrow changes to a hand. 
   
   When it does you need to hold down left-click (which changes the hand to a closed hand, as if grabbing).
   
   
   
   Now you simply drag the cursor down to the bottom of the screen while still holding down left-click. As the grabbed window gets to the bottom of the screen you simply let go of the left-click and viola, you have closed the app.
   
   

I hope these tips help you work with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 more confidently and dispel any unfounded gripes about the newest addition to the Windows family.

Don’t forget that any computer purchased from Creative Computing comes with the peace of mind that we will help you through the transitional period of changing PCs as we offer one-to-one assistance, telephone and email support.