Personal virus protection

If you are running an older version of Windows that does not have access to Microsoft Defender, we recommend checking your computer's specs to see if you can update to the latest version of Windows. If you can't upgrade, and can't update your computer to newer hardware, we will continue to offer Vipre Licenses. This offer will eventually expire, though. If you happen to run MalwareBytes, another software that we recommend running in parallel to Microsoft Defender, you may run into some issues.

This article from How To Geek explains how to handle these issues. In an effort to help protect our Faculty, Members, Staff and their families at home, the Institute for Advanced Study is now offering free Anti-Virus licenses for personal computers running the Windows operating system.

If you have a personal computer and would like to take advantage of this program, follow the instructions below. This software only applies to personal computers running a version of the Windows operating system from Microsoft. Because the company has been in the news the past few years, let's talk about Kaspersky Lab -- specifically about the federal ban that blocks US government agencies from using Kaspersky Antivirus products.

Based in Moscow, Kaspersky Lab has for years produced some of the best antivirus software for business antivirus needs and home customers. But in the US government prohibited Kaspersky security cloud software on federal government computers because of alleged ties between Kaspersky and the Russian government.

But as with China-based Huawei , the question remains: If the federal government doesn't think the products are safe enough for its own devices, should consumers avoid them as well? In a statement sent to CNET, the company said, "Kaspersky Lab has no ties to any government, and the company has never, nor will ever, engage in cyber offensive activities.

Kaspersky Lab maintains that no public evidence of any wrongdoing has been presented by the US government, and that the US government's actions against Kaspersky Lab were unconstitutional. In Kaspersky's favor, it continues to earn top scores and awards for virus and malware detection and endpoint protection from independent testing labs. And it's reasonably priced. In the end, even though no one has ever publicly produced a "smoking gun" linking the company to Russian intrigue, we think any of the options listed above are a safer bet.

And if you are a US government employee or work with the federal government, you'll want to steer clear of Kaspersky internet security products -- and perhaps use one of the antivirus software products mentioned here instead. Picking the best antivirus software for Windows means finding one that keeps your PC safe, doesn't take up a lot of system resources, is easy to use and stays out of the way till you need it.

Here's what to look for. Antivirus software runs virus scans for known viruses and malware, of course, and can offer real-time protection. And it watches for shady websites and suspicious links to keep you out of trouble. It can also offer ransomware protection and monitor unexpected behavior that may be a sign of new and not-yet-identified viruses and malware.

You want antivirus software that can successfully identify these unknown online threats without flagging too many false positives. Light on system resources. You don't want antivirus software that taxes your PC's resources. If after you install the program, websites open slowly, apps download or open sluggishly or file copies take longer than expected, you may want to try another service. The good news is, all our picks offer a free trial to let you try out the antivirus program, so if your system feels sluggish after installation, you may want to keep looking.

Cost and discounts. Don't just pay the sticker price for antivirus protection. Before you buy, check for discounts on a company's website.

Another way to save: The prices we list above are for 10 devices -- if the company offered that package -- but you can trim your cost with antivirus packages if you need to cover three or five devices. You may also find discounts on an app's Amazon page. To be effective, antivirus software needs to monitor what's going on with your PC, check in with company servers about unusual behavior and should provide sound banking protection.

The companies say they anonymize this technical data as much as possible to protect your privacy. But if you want to know more, the security companies on our list post privacy policies on their websites, so read their privacy statements to learn what the companies do with the information you share.

Protection for other platforms. Microsoft is by far the biggest target for viruses and malware. While the Mac does come under attack via side-loaded apps, it's rare, and if you download apps only from the Mac and iOS app stores and keep your guard up when clicking links and download files, you should be OK without an antivirus app on Apple devices. CNET editors pick the products and services we write about.

When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Best free Windows antivirus Microsoft Defender. Jump to details. See at Microsoft. See at NortonLifeLock. See at Bitdefender. Best on-demand Windows malware removal Malwarebytes. See at Malwarebytes. Solid subscription antivirus alternative McAfee Total Protection. See at McAfee. Another good subscription option Trend Micro Maximum Security. While there are no face masks that are specifically made to protect against viruses alone, you can still find highly effective products that can filter viruses and other airborne particles.

If you are worried about getting infected by viruses, then you need to get face masks that are NIOSH-approved and given a rating of N95 or P These are the ones that are proven to be able to block viruses most of the time.

You can tell which face masks are rated N95 or P because they are required to print this detail on the mask itself. Aside from N95 and P face masks, you can also use medical-grade masks that have high fluid resistance. Face masks are air filters that you wear on your face. The masks are made of non-woven materials. These are fibers that are stuck on the surface of a static-charged mesh. This creates a lattice of very tiny holes arranged randomly. This filter will provide a physical barrier between the outside air and your nose and mouth.

Face masks work by blocking harmful particles, including viruses, in the air from getting into the nose or mouth. It is like a tiny net that catches those extremely tiny particles in the air, thereby preventing them from getting inside the nose and mouth. There are many different types of face masks that you can wear to serve as protection against viruses.

Here are some of the more popular choices:. These look like pieces of paper that have elastic bands at the sides that hook behind the ears. This form of breathing protection relies on the filter material that makes up the entirety of the mask.

The colored side of the mask is the fluid-resistant side. This is the part that you want to be on the outside if you want to protect yourself from diseases. Now, if you are the one with the flu, you need to put the colored part of the mask inside. Disposable Dust Masks — This is the kind of mask that is usually used by craftsmen like woodworkers, drywall installers, carpenters, welders, and others who need respiratory protection.

You will notice that these masks look like they are made of stiff paper. However, the truth is they are made of fibers that are joined together to create a fine mesh network, thereby preventing solid and liquid particles from getting through.

After that, you should then properly dispose of it. You must never reuse this mask as its effectiveness will have already diminished by quite a lot. Half-face Respirators — These are the heavy-duty ones that are used for hazardous work environments. These have removable filters that are NIOSH-approved and rated N95 or P, because they need to be able to block microscopic irritants in the air, like asbestos fibers, fiberglass, silica, and others.

Will these masks be able to protect against viruses? Of course, they could. The only problem is that they will look alarming when worn outside the workplace. Also, they will be very uncomfortable to wear for an entire afternoon or so.

When it comes to the virus outbreak, the reason why you need a face mask is so you can significantly lower the chances of you getting infected with the deadly disease. If your nose and mouth have a barrier that prevents the aerosols that are carrying the virus from getting through then you will not get infected by them. The way that the virus is spread is through sneezing or coughing of an infected person.

The virus is carried in their saliva and at the limited time that these particles are in the air, if another person inhales it then there is a good chance that they will get infected by the disease themselves. As of now, the virus is not airborne but it has a limited distance that it can travel. Aside from wearing a mask, you should also practice good personal hygiene as well. You need to keep your hands clean because you might unknowingly touch a surface that is covered with the virus.

This might put you at risk of touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with the virus, leading to you contracting the alarming disease. When it is your health that is on the line, you need to make sure that the face mask that you buy can truly provide you with enough care and protection that you need. Here are some of the things that you need to keep an eye out for when shopping for a good face mask designed to protect you from the virus:.

Protection — The first and foremost reason why you are thinking of buying face masks is that you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting infected with the deadly virus that is going around right now. These have the highest chances of blocking harmful particles in the air, which also happens to include bacteria and viruses. Comfort — Many might think that comfort is not that important when it comes to face masks but it is. Even if you are dead serious about wearing your mask for protection if, after an hour or so, it becomes unbearably uncomfortable under the mask, you will not want to wear it anymore.

This might also be the time when you will start to get complacent and more prone to infection. A good face mask should be so lightweight that you will forget that you are wearing it after a while. Also, there should be a way for your exhaled breath to get out of the mask. This will prevent the inside of the mask from getting hot and balmy. Also, this will keep you from recycling your breath, meaning you will not be breathing in the carbon dioxide that you just exhaled.

Another factor that can contribute to comfort levels is the head strap that is used for keeping the mask in place. This should neither be too tight nor too loose. It should provide just enough elasticity to keep the mask in place. Type of Mask — As mentioned earlier, many different types of face masks can be used to protect oneself against virus infections and the levels of protection they provide vary as well.

First, there is what we call as the disposable mask. You can buy this disposable type in bulk for just pennies apiece. The level of protection they provide is moderate at best but if you are in a bind then you can expect this to work already.

There are also the reusable N95 or P masks. These masks are much better at protecting against viruses but they are a bit more expensive. Also, you can use them for more than just one day but not by much. Most of the reusable face masks can be used for around three days or until they get too dirty. There are also heavy-duty half-face respirators. These are the ones used by professional tradesmen when they have to work in hazardous environments, like when they have to tear down walls and ceilings containing asbestos or if they have to work with fine fiberglass.

Although these will provide you with more than enough protection, they are cumbersome to use in public and you will also look very alarming to other people. Fit — Regardless of the type chosen, a good face mask, should fit properly over your face. There should not be any gaps along the sides that will allow outside air to get inside the mask. This defeats the purpose of wearing the mask in the first place. One good way to find out if there is a gap between the mask and your face is to wear glasses while wearing the mask.

If you fog up the lenses when you exhale then there is a gap around the nose of your mask. To close this gap, pinch the metal band in the mask that is located at the bridge of your nose so that it will take the shape of your nose. This will close off the gap at the top of the mask. Length of Use — Medical masks and dust masks are usually just one-time use only.

Medical masks are just usable for three to four hours. If you feel that the inside is already moist then you need to dispose of it immediately. There are also reusable face masks. They are usually the ones that have exhale valves. You will often find the mask usable for at least three days up to a week depending on the brand and make.

Then there are professional-grade ones. These are the masks that can be reused indefinitely. You just need to replace the filter cartridges once they are full. Most masks that fall into this category are large and bulky and would look weird when worn in public.

Cost and Quantity — If you are thinking of buying the disposable type of face mask, you should make sure that you are getting the most out of your money, literally. Disposable masks, like medical face masks, are quite cheap, unless the seller jacks up the price because of the surge in demand, which is unethical by the way.

This does not mean you should get the cheapest out there. It is because you cannot be sure of their quality. You should buy masks that you are sure of the quality in bulk. This is because they are generally cheaper that way. A box of masks may be a lot more expensive than a pack of 6. When you do the math, you will find that the box of s has a much cheaper unit price. Besides, with the way things are going right now, you might need to wear face masks for a long time, so it is best to have a lot in stock.

If you will be using disposable face masks then you should immediately dispose of them at the end of the day. You should never reuse disposable face masks, especially the medical masks. Also, if your medical face mask gets wet, dispose of it immediately and use a new one instead.

Another thing to remember is that when you start to feel that the mask is already moist inside, it is no longer usable. Typically, all disposable masks, regardless if they are medical or dust masks , need to be disposed of after a day of use. If any viruses are caught on the surface of the mask, reusing it will most likely get you infected. You need to dispose of masks properly.

First, place them inside a plastic bag, tie it off and then place them in the hazardous waste bin. On the other hand, if you have a reusable face mask, you should still dispose of the spend filter cartridges properly and properly clean the mask itself.

Most reusable masks are made of silicone so they are quite easy to clean. Just wipe them down with a solution made of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol and you are done. Because there are so many different brands and makers of face masks, some of them may not be as reliable as the others.

Fortunately, I have tried and tested a lot of different masks in the last couple of years and I have discovered some truly reliable ones. If you can manage to find face masks from these brands, there is a good chance that you will be getting the best that your money can buy.

First of all, you need to make sure that the mask is right-side up. For most disposable masks, the top is where the metal nose clip is located.

If there is branding on the mask, you can also use that to orient the product to the right position. Now, which side should you wear against your face?