computer virus | 3 Boys And A Dog

REVIEW: AVG Internet Security 2012

November 23, 2011 by Kelli 2 Comments

AVG Internet Security 2012 is one of the internet’s premier, anti-virus software programs. It is designed for both home and business use. Designed by internet security specialists with the help of and contributions from the AVG user community, the program’s most recent release is its best. AVG is able to identify, quarantine and get rid of viruses, Trojans spyware, spam and much more

It is extremely dangerous to browse the internet without adequate protection. Individuals that do so, assume a great deal of risk. A person’s computer could be rendered inoperable and sensitive information could be stolen. It’s not unheard of for a person to have their computer overrun with viruses, spyware and all of the other undesirables mentioned above.

Two of AVG Internet Security’s newest features are its AVG Accelerator and AVG Advice. The Accelerator speeds up user downloads and Flash videos while AVG Advice helps improve user experience by advising users on matters concerning memory and poor computer function, caused primarily by browser session tables being left open for lengthy amounts of time.

The 2012 version of AVG Internet Security software offers protection at every levels of the user experience. Whether an individual is browsing the internet or speaking with friends via chat, their computer is being protected. In their background, AVG is playing centerfield, protecting the LANs (Local Area Networks) against attacked lobbed at the system, if a computer has them. All of the aforementioned provides computer users with peace of mind and protection against those that wish to do them, or at least their computers, harm.

Mom Says: Once again, I am impressed at the ease of use of AVG. It is all I have ever used and I have no desire to switch. As a reviewer, I have tried other virus protection programs, but nothing has compared! Just so you can see what it looks like, I took a few screen shots while setting it up and running it for the first time.

Want to know about older versions? Check out my AVG Internet Security 9.0 Review

**I was sent a 1 year trial of AVG Internet Security 2012 by AVG and Parent Reviewers to help facilitate my review. No money exchanged hands. Any opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Gaming, PC, Wii, PS2, DS, Reviews Tagged With: 2012, antivirus software, avg, avg internet security, AVG Technologies, computer network security, computer security, computer virus, computers, espionage, freeware, internet security, protection, rogue software, spyware, system software, trojan spyware, users, virus, virus software program

Blogging Basics: Clean Up Your Computer

March 30, 2011 by Kelli 6 Comments

natcleaningweek Blogging Basics: Clean Up Your Computer If you are a blogger, your computer is your most important business tool. If it goes out, you are in trouble! As part of National Cleaning Week, I am going to give you some tips and ideas to clean up your computer and keep your blog running at optimum potential!

Important Ways To Keep Your Computer Up to Speed:

Be sure your anti-virus program is up to date and functioning properly. Be sure to schedule an automatic full disk check to ruin daily. I run mine at 11 pm (as I am not usually on my computer at that time) using AVG.

Step One – Clean up your computer of unnecessary files. I use TuneUp Utilities and also the disc cleaner that came with my computer. Plus, I go through my photos, videos, pictures, etc and delete or remove from my hard drive anything that doesn’t need to be there.
Step Two – Clean up the registry. Again, I use my TuneUp Utilities to handle this. You can find a program on the internet that will do this for you. Windows Live has a free registry cleaner that can help you clean up your computer.
Step Three – Run your COMPLETE anti-virus program. Not a quick scan, but a FULL scan. I use AVG anti-virus software.
Step Four – Run disc defragment. You can find this on your computer.
Step Five – Restart and back up you hard drive. I use the Seagate FreeAgent Go portable hard drive to automatically back up my computer, but when I do my regular maintenance, I delete all old copies of the back up .

Important Ways To Keep Your WordPress Blog Up to Speed:

Be sure to keep ALL pictures on your site under 100 KB! I use smush.it to make my pictures smaller in file size. Actually, if you have the right plug ins, most of this can be automated! Here is an awesome list of plugins to help keep you secure and running smoothly.

Broken Link Checker – when fixing the broken links on your site and fixing the redirects, be very careful that you don’t correct any affiliate redirects. If you do, it looses your affiliate information and you will no longer get paid.

WP Database Backup – This keeps your database backed up in the place of your choosing. Perfect in case you accidently mess something up. You can always pull yesterday’s back up!

WP Security Scan – Scans your computer for security issues (passwords, permissions, database security) and suggests ways to correct them to help keep you safe from hackers.

Akismet – Stop spammers from going into your comments!

WP Anti-Virus – Virus protection for your wordpress blog. Yep, you could catch a virus on your blog if you aren’t protected!

Plus, a couple steps that should be done on a regular basis.

That’s it Be sure to tackle the above today and let me know how it goes!

Filed Under: Blogging Basics, Gaming, PC, Wii, PS2, DS Tagged With: antivirus software, avg, basic, blog maintenance, blogging, Blogging Basics, clean up your computer, cleaning, Computer Clean Up, computer virus, computers, computing, disc cleaner, hard drives, malware, National Cleaning Week, system software, TuneUp Utilities, virus, virus programs, wordpress, world wide web

10 Weeks Until Christmas: Computer Clean Up ( #GIVEAWAY @Seagate )

October 16, 2010 by Kelli 368 Comments

The holidays are getting closer and closer! Are you prepared to get cards sent out, pictures taken, videos made? Yeah, me either! That is why this week is all about getting that computer up to par and setting up a backup system so you don’t lose all that precious info! Plus, if the computer is running at optimum speed, then it won’t take you as long to get those photo gifts made and addresses input into your Holiday Card Database!

Our sponsored giveaway this week is pretty awesome, if I do say so myself! http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/external/external-hard-drive/portable-hard-drive

FreeAgent GoFlex USB 3.0, 1TB Slim, Black, *Star Trek – This ultra–upgradable, ultra–portable hard drive makes it ultra–easy for you to store, backup, encrypt and access your files anytime, anywhere. $169.99 Value!

Features USB 2.0 or 3.0 plug–and–play connectivity
Includes pre–loaded easy–to–use backup software
Lets you upgrade to USB 3.0, FireWire^® 800 or eSATA
Allows you to access your content on your TV, network and on–the–go when combined with other GoFlex devices

To help you get organized for Christmas, 3 Boys and a Dog is hosting our third giveaway for 12 Weeks ‘Til Christmas: 12 Weekly Challenges to help you get your home clean, organized, and company ready in time for Christmas!

Your Challenge this week is a bit complex, but not physically draining like last week’s was: Clean Up That Computer!

Step One – Clean your computer of unnecessary files. I use TuneUp Utilities and also the disc cleaner that came with my computer. Plus, I go through my photos, videos, pictures, etc and delete or remove from my hard drive anything that doesn’t need to be there.
Step Two – Clean up the registry. Again, I use my TuneUp Utilities to handle this. You can find a program on the internet that will do this for you.
Step Three – Run your COMPLETE anti-virus program. Not a quick scan, but a FULL scan. I use AVG anti-virus software.
Step Four – Run disc defragment. You can find this on your computer.
Step Five – Restart and back up you hard drive. I use the Seagate FreeAgent Go portable hard drive to automatically back up my computer, but when I do my regular maintenance, I delete all old copies of the back up.
Step Six – Try to win your very own FreeAgent® GoFlex™ Ultra–portable Drive right here at 3 Boys and a Dog!
Step Seven – Remember to visit the other 12 Weeks Until Christmas hostesses: Lisa at Life With Lisa, Christina at Mommy Story Reviews, and Heather at Domestic Extraordinaire!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

TO WIN

REQUIRED: Visit Seagate’s Website, look around, then come back and tell me something you want, liked, or learned.

BONUS #1: Follow @Seagate and @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post.

BONUS #2: Like Seagate and 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post.

Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)

#2. Follow my blog.

#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.

#5. Put my button on your blog.

#6. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on October 30th

OPEN TO: USA and CANADA

*DISCLAIMER: I was sent a FreeAgent GoFlex by Seagate to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*

Filed Under: Holidays / Seasons, Organizing Tagged With: 10 weeks, 12 Weeks Until Christmas, Christmas, clean your computer, cleaning, Computer Clean Up, computer cleaner, computer memory, computer virus, computers, computing, Giveaways, hard disk drive, hard drives, organization, Seagate, seagate freeagent, seagate technology, serial ata, star trek, storage, universal serial bus, until, week

REVIEW: AVG Internet Security 9.0 Software

September 13, 2010 by Kelli 6 Comments

This couldn’t have come at a better time, could it? We have all been listening to my rants on 3 Boys and a Dog, Twitter, and FaceBook. I have had a virus! A yucky, nasty, can’t get rid of virus. I now have my new computer and am in heaven. But, I don’t want my brand new computer getting the virus and was stoked to be chosen for this blog tour!

AVG Internet Security 9.0 is a security suite intended to provide comprehensive threat protection and prevention for home and small business computer users. It addresses traditional threats such as viruses, spam, spyware, and Trojans as well as newer threats including identity stealing malware, web exploits, drive-by phishing, and root kits. AVG Internet Security 9.0 guards the major connection points into your computer: web browsing, instant messaging, and local area networks.

I have installed AVG on my new computer and am using every single bit of protection available! See the screen shot below and notice all of the security components of AVG. I have highlighted them. Please ignore my messy words. LOL! I am trying to get use to a new mouse.

I don’t know if it is my computer or the AVG, but my computer isn’t lagging while it is running in the background. In fact, I forget it is even going!

One click and scheduled virus updates make sure that I am always safe!

Mom Says: My favorite part is the ease of use. Some virus programs make it nearly impossible to access ANYTHING on the web, connected to your computer, etc. With a simple click, I can save the settings to allow something (like my HP printer) to make changes. Plus, it is all in terms even I can understand!

They Say: Founded in 1991, AVG Technologies has corporate offices in Europe, the US and the UK and over 80 million active users in 167 countries. The company is focused on protecting computer users at home and in small businesses against disruption and loss caused by a wide range of security threats. AVG ’s award-winning products are distributed globally through resellers and over the Internet as well as via third-party use of the company’s Software Development Kits. AVG supports all major operating systems and platforms.

Don’t take my word for it! Download the AVG free trial download! I would love to hear your thoughts.

DISCLAIMER: I was given a 1 year download to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: antivirus software, avg, avg internet security, AVG Technologies, computer network security, computer virus, computers, computing, facebook, freeware, internet security, malware, new computers, phishing, review, rogue software, security suite, software, spyware, system software, Twitter, virus, Virus Protection, yucky

Thanks for Being Patient With Me! Still no computer!

September 9, 2010 by Kelli 1 Comment

Short and sweet.

I know that I have several giveaways to close and many reviews and giveaways to get written, but I simply can’t do any of it until my computer comes in. On the plus side, it is out for delivery! So, I should have it today and my wonderful readers are being so patient with me. So, thanks! I am hoping to get it all set up today so that I am ready to get back to work on Friday (if not this evening). I also have semi-plans to work this weekend. I know that is not something I normally do, but since I haven’t posted since Monday, I need to get some extra days in. I also have many emails to work through. I just wanted to drop a quick note to let everyone know that I am still alive, but my computer isn’t so much.

So, just be petient a bit more and get ready to be blown away with my new productivity. When I don’t have to spend all day fighting a computer, I should be able to crank out more content and spend more time visiting other blogs. I have been unable to do ANY visiting pretty much the entire year because my computer has just gotten progressively worse. Anyhoo, I am about to drive my kids nuts with my excitement over my new “peter, “ as Tank calls it. LOL! Then,you will be saying Thanks to me. LOL!