If you own a computer that is connected to the internet in any way, shape, or form, a good antivirus program is a necessity. Antivirus software is designed to detect, identify, block, and eliminate viruses, spyware, and other malicious software from infecting your computer, and there are plenty of options available, both online and in software stores. However, finding an antivirus program that does what it says it will do - remove malware - may not be as effortless as you would think.

Malware, especially spyware, is extremely easy to contract, and not so easy to get rid of. Spyware is especially rampant on sites that offer free software, free music, and various other free downloads - there are even free antivirus programs on the internet that contain versions of the very spyware they claim to remove. These infectious free antivirus programs and similar free software, while not representative of all free software, are definitely cause for concern, and precautions should be taken to avoid downloading free antivirus programs or free software that contains spyware or other malware.

It is important that you differentiate between free antivirus programs that could be a danger to your computer and legitimate antivirus programs that offer a free scan or a free trial service period before charging you for the software or membership. Promotions such as a free scan or free software download are commonly used by very reputable antivirus software companies; in fact, most companies will offer a free scan or free trial period to draw more customers. Legitimate software programs will never install spyware or other malware onto a computer, no matter how many free scans or other promotions they offer.

Some signs that your computer may contain spyware, viruses, or other malware are:

1. The appearance of popups or other ads on your computer
2. A system that runs slow or frequently crashes
3. The appearance of unfamiliar files on your computer
4. A sudden lack of hard drive space or memory on the computer
5. An internet browser that sends you automatically to certain sites or that changes your home page

A good antivirus program, regardless of whether it offers a free scan or free software download, should perform the following tasks:

1. Automatically detect and cure viruses, spyware, adware, worms, trojans, malicious code, malware, and keyloggers.
2. Thoroughly scan your computer, including your archives and email databases.
3. Be scheduled to scan when you choose.
4. Be updated daily to detect the newest threats.
5. Stop hijackers from taking over your browser.
6. Remove spyware cookies that track your internet browsing habits.
7. Help eliminate unwanted advertising.
8. Protect your personal information against identity theft.
9. Provide a detailed report of threats found and actions taken - cured, deleted, and quarantined.

In order to get the best protection for your computer system, be sure to install a reputable antivirus program with a threat scanner, a firewall, and a popup blocker, and update it regularly. A free scan offered by a company you trust can let you know if your computer is infected or if you've been lucky enough to avoid a virus and just need to take preventative measures.