Virus-Prevention Toolkit
Resources, software, and tips for protecting your nonprofit's computers
Viruses are some of the biggest and most constant threats your computers face. This toolkit offers resources, software, and tips for keeping your organization's machines virus-free.
Read TechSoup's Tips for Protecting Your Org
Get the lowdown on how computer viruses work, how they infect your system, and how you can combat them.
Virus FAQ
If you have questions about how viruses can affect your machines and data — and what to do if you suspect you have one — this list of frequently-asked virus questions may be useful.
Removing Spyware, Viruses, and Other Forms of Malware
Whether your computers have fallen victim to a stubborn virus, a nasty piece of spyware, or a stealthy Trojan horse, this article offers tips on banishing them for good.
Secure Computing: The Key Ingredients
The right combination of security software can help keep your computers and important data safe from harm. This article explains what different types of security software (including antivirus programs) do and how they work.
Beyond Antivirus Software
Just because you've installed antivirus software on your computer doesn't mean you're immune to threats; you also have to maintain and update the software, as well as exercise common sense.
Read Software Reviews and Roundups
Equipping your nonprofit's computers with antivirus software will help you keep threats at bay. Find out what works and what doesn't.
CNET 2007 Antivirus Performance Test Scores
CNET tests and reviews recent versions of six popular antivirus programs.
Top Ten Reviews' Anti-Virus Software Reviews
This chart compares features, tech-support options, and other aspects of 10 antivirus programs.
PC World's Top Antivirus Software
This PC World article published in early 2006 rates and reviews 10 commercial and free antivirus programs.
Get Antivirus Software
The antivirus programs listed below are either free or allow you to try them for free for a limited period of time. Note that since many antivirus programs conflict with one another, you will want to uninstall one before installing and evaluating the next.
Products available on TechSoup Stock:
Symantec Donation Program
Qualifying nonprofits can purchase Symantec Norton Antivirus Desktop Edition and Norton SystemWorks Standard Edition through TechSoup Stock for admin fees starting as low as $15 and $25 for a single user. If you want to test Norton Antivirus before you buy it, you can download a free 15-day trial version.
Other Products:
Alwil Avast! 4 Home
Alwil offers its Avast! 4 Home antivirus product free of charge to home users and nonprofit organizations.
BitDefender Antivirus
BitDefender will let you evaluate its Antivirus Plus 10 program free of charge for 30 days; the full version costs $40 for a one-year subscription. Bit Defender Antivirus also comes in a Free Edition that lacks the extra security features — such as a firewall and anti-spyware protection — found in the Plus version.
Grisoft AVG Free Edition 7.5
Grisoft's free antivirus program scans your machine for infections and shields your computer from threats in real time; the $39 Professional Edition adds extra features, such as more elaborate virus-protection methods.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0
The latest version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus — which also protects against spyware — offers a 30-day trial period and can be purchased as a one-year subscription for $50.
McAfee VirusScan Plus
A one-year subscription to McAfee's antivirus program costs $40, though you can try the software free for 30 days. McAfee also provides a free online virus scanner, though it is only compatible with Internet Explorer.
Keep an Eye on the Latest Virus Threats
New viruses are unleashed on the world every day. To make sure that your organization is totally protected from the latest threats, you may want to frequently visit one of the following Web resources.
CNET's Security Center
CNET's Security Center provides up-to-date information on the latest viruses, as well as a Threat Watch meter that indicates how serious current outbreaks are.
McAfee's Recent Threats Page
This resource from security-software vendor McAfee lists recent threats and their level of seriousness and includes a clickable map showing the number of computers infected in each country in the world.
TrendMicro's Top 10 Security Threats Page
Security-software manufacturer TrendMicro also provides information on the most recent viruses and malware attacks and assigns them a seriousness rating.
Discuss Virus-Prevention Tips with Others
If one of your computers has contracted a virus, chances are that someone else has battled the same problem. The discussion forums listed below allow you to seek virus-fighting advice from other members and users.
TechSoup Virus Vaccination and Computer Security forum
Got a stubborn virus you can't get off your computer? Visit TechSoup's Virus Vaccination and Computer Security forum to discuss solutions and get tips from nonprofit techies and security experts.
TekTips Virus/Spyware Discussion Forum
Along with a dedicated forum for discussing viruses and spyware problems, TekTips also offers forums for discussing specific antivirus programs, including Grisoft AVG, McAfee, and Symantec Norton.
