why do i need antivirus software

[Platypus]

Hi saharika.

There are many threats to computer security, viruses and trojans are two, there are also worms, which may use DirectX or various types of scripting, and assorted spyware/ad-ware/keyloggers as well.

An anti-virus program usually uses different ways of detecting viruses, two major ones are signature detection, and detecting code that performs suspicious actions (heuristic detection).

AVG is a decent antivirus, but it may not be the strongest at dealing with trojans. I'd say it is giving you the warning because its heuristics have detected code that may be harmful, but is not a virus it knows how to deal with.

A trojan can draw in other forms of attack like a worm, which may be the cause of system file infection/corruption.

On-line trojan scans can be helpful, some well known ones are:

www.trojanscan.com (fast but may not be most up-to date)

http://www.pandasoftware.com/actives..._principal.htm

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/hous...start_corp.asp

As far as preventing things from getting onto your system, you can use a commercial Internet Security package, or a range of individual protection measures, a number of which can be free.

AdAware, Spybot Search&Destroy and SpywareBlaster are useful tools and their use is recommended.

A firewall is virtually essential, but doesn't stop viruses, it protects against attempts to make unwanted contact with your system, or warns of anything trying to make unauthorised accesses outward from within your computer eg a trojan or worm.

I use Outpost Free myself:

http://www.agnitum.com/download/outpost1.html

It's very light on system resources which is good for Win9x.

Other folk have good results with Zone Alarm and Kerio.