The first step to install an antivirus program for a basic PC is downloading the program. Double-click on the downloaded program to start the installation. The installer will guide you through the steps needed to install the program. This includes accepting the terms and conditions, and choosing where the antivirus is saved on your computer. Depending on the software you will require a license key or register an account with the software vendor.
Activate the antivirus program to start scanning for malicious programs. Most antivirus programs will ask you to register and provide personal details as part of the activation process, however this is typically not required. After you have registered, a confirmation message or email will confirm that the antivirus program is activated.
Depending on the antivirus program you use, you could be asked to run an entire system scan or to choose a specific file or folder to scan. During the scan the program will look for and delete any folders or files that contain malware. Some programs will also run periodic or automatic scans to detect new infections and keep your computer free from threats.
If you’re in search of a powerful antivirus for macOS and Macworld, our colleagues at Macworld recommend Intego VirusBarrier. It’s a comprehensive package that includes VirusBarrier as well as NetBarrier. These two applications are able to detect malware and rogue programs before they’re downloaded or launched on Mac. In our tests, VirusBarrier caught all the malware samples we sent it, and it also warns you when you’re downloading or running suspicious software.
