esafe at Home
eSafety is a subject which covers a huge spectrum, part of that spectrum is protection from Viruses and other nasty software.
Nasty software could possibly steal your personal information or expose yourself or your children to inappropriate material.
This page has been made due to the number of emails received asking for a good anti-virus package to use at home. Here we will show you some of the free "home version" Anti-Virus packages which will keep your computer better protected than either having no protection or a poor antivirus solution.
Which of these does your computer run?
or 
Tips for Windows computers
- Install an antivirus program. These do not have to be expensive, there are a few free ones listed below - including the fantastic 'Microsoft Security Essentials' which is made by Microsoft themselves!
- Turn on your firewall. In this day and age with wireless routers there is usually little need for a firewall - but a little extra security can't hurt!
- Don't visit dodgy websites, and if asked to install anything - DON'T!
- Keep Windows up to date.
| Name of Antivirus Package | Windows XP | Windows Vista | Windows 7 |
| AVG Free |
|
|
|
| Avast! |
|
|
|
| Avira Anti-Vir |
|
|
|
| Microsoft Security Essentials (Best Pick!) |
|
|
|
How to turn on the Windows Firewall
Windows XP: Go to Start > Control Panel and click Security Center and then click Firewall.
Windows Vista: Click the big start button and type 'Firewall' click 'Windows Firewall' and follow instructions
Windows 7: Same as Vista - Click Start Button and type 'Firewall' click 'Windows Firewall' and follow instructions.
To update windows
Open your internet browser and navigate to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
You will usually find that in Windows the firewall and windows updates are already turned on!
- Keep your computer up to date
- Don't visit dodgy websites
- If asked to install anything you don't recognise - DON'T!
Antivirus for OSX
OSX (Apple) is built in a very special way in that viruses are hard to manufacture, however there is a very small number out there.
99% of the Apple computers do not use an antivirus program and most of them do not need them.
Due to this, the selection of Anti-Virus products on Mac OSX is poor and those that do exist are complicated to use.
The most well known one for MacOSX (free, too!) is ClamXav
Firewall for OSX
OSX Comes with a firewall built in, but it is not usually turned on. If you wish to turn it on you can do so by going to 'System Preferences' then 'Security' then 'Firewall' and then click the little lock at the bottom and click 'Start'.
