Say goodbye to Viruses and keep your PC running smoothly

What is a virus?
A virus is a form of malicious software, sometimes referred to as malware. A true virus can only spread from one computer to another in some form of executable code when its host is taken to the target computer. For instance, when a user sends it over a network or the Internet, or carries it on a removable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive. Viruses can increase their chances of spreading to other computers by infecting files on a network file system or a file system that is accessed by another computer.

Viruses can infect several files of the computer's operating and file system. These include:
• System Sectors
• Files
• Source code
• Disk Clusters
• Files

An anti-virus software provides protection by detecting viruses, and then disabling or removing them from your PC. The anti-virus software scans your PC, looking for the tell-tale signatures of these malicious programs. Once detected, the software will take the appropriate action, such as clean, delete, or quarantine. Anti-virus software protects your PC from the following threats:

• Viruses: A small program that attaches itself to another program or document, and replicates with the potential to cause damage.
• Worms: A small piece of software that uses computer networks and security holes to replicate itself. A copy of the worm scans the network for another machine that has a specific security hole. Worms copy themselves to the new machine using the security hole, and then start replicating from that point.
• Trojans: Programs that pretend to be something harmless but have a damaging or otherwise malicious intent.
• Zombies: Programs that install themselves on PCs, and remain dormant until an external event triggers them into action. These could do damage to your PC, steal your personal information and send it to an unauthorized email account, or even open up remote control access to your PC.

CA Anti-Virus Plus
CA virus protection software serves major corporations, government entities, and educational institutions worldwide. CA Anti-Virus provides home users a powerful technology used by these organizations, in a format that is both easy-to-use and affordable.

Virus Protection from CA protects you from tomorrow's viruses today. CA Anti-Virus Plus is fully tested and certified effective by ICSA Labs, Virus Bulletin and West Coast Labs. Scanning engines enable CA Anti-Virus to detect even unknown viruses by analyzing file characteristics to prevent potential infections. Once a specific virus is added to detections list, CA Anti-Virus will also detect other iterations or variations of that virus. This way, when a new virus is created that uses a similar "fingerprint" as the previous virus, CA Anti-Virus will automatically detect the new virus.

CA Anti-Virus Plus is configured to automatically check and update virus protection signatures via a standard Internet connection.

Other features

• Keeps your important files, music collection, photos and documents safe from harmful viruses.
• Automatic scanning of emails for viruses or worms that can infect your PC.
• Stop spyware from tracking your activity and personal data.
• Detect and remove viruses that can slow down your PC.
• Includes 2GB of online backup from Mozy.

CA Anti-Spyware
Spyware is the common term for a wide variety of non-viral programs that are typically installed onto a user's PC without their knowledge. Spyware can steal your personal information, switch your home page, re-direct your web searches, display annoying ads, slow your PC to a crawl, or even control it remotely. Spyware can enter your PC through everyday web browsing, unauthorized software downloads, peer-to-peer file swapping, email attachments, instant messaging and chat sessions, bundles with legitimate software, hacker website downloads, and "drive-by" installs from websites. Some common types of spyware include:

• Spyware: Tracks information about you, your computer, and your surfing habits.
• Adware: Displays unwanted advertising that can slow your computer to a crawl.
• Browser Hijackers: Can change your browser home page and search results.
• Remote Access Trojans (RATS): Allows attackers to remotely control your computer

Why do I need anti-spyware software?
Spyware can lead to anything from PC crashes to increased spam to identity theft. These threats are rapidly proliferating and represent a major security and privacy risk. Anti-spyware software is designed to detect and remove all the threats from spyware, adware, browser hijackers and rats.

Do I need anti-spyware software if i already have anti-virus software?
Your anti-virus protection is important as it detects and removes viral threats. But your PC can still be infected with other dangers such as spyware. Anti-spyware software is designed to stop these threats, which have unique properties that can remain hidden on your PC and cause havoc.

CA Anti-Spyware detects and removes a wide range of spyware threats, making it a powerful complement to your anti-virus defense.

Free anti-spyware products typically do not offer all of the features and functions available in CA Anti-Spyware, such as real-time protection, a spyware information database, logging, support and automatic updates. Free anti-spyware applications do not offer technical support. Also, free products typically cannot afford to invest heavily in research and development, meaning their products may not be as effective in detecting and removing a wide range of threats.