If you have been receiving a popup message about upgrading your Free AVG Antivirus program... --- Or if your current AntiVirus program has expired and you haven't done anything about it.... Below is a free solution to protect your computer from virus'. The AVG popup message that some are receiving..... Clicking on the link will lead you to their site to a page that helps you download the subscription version... I don't recommend paying for this since they STILL make a FREE version that works better than some paid versions and doesn't slow your computer like Norton and MacAfee. You can still keep the free version, but there is program update (these usually only happen once every year or two). (Virus definition updates occur at least once a week, and are usually automatically downloaded and installed, but you should check every once in a while to make sure it's working on its own.) ************** FREE AVG INSTALL *************** If you happen to have Norton, MacAfee or any other AntiVirus program... Uninstall it first through the Control Panel. Restart, make sure it's GONE! DO NOT install two AntiVirus programs on one computer. You can install the new (FREE AVG 8) version without uninstalling the old version...(if you have AVG). To download and update the FREE Version of Free AVG AntiVirus Click below.. http://campaign.grisoft.com/ww.special-upgrade-7-8-free-03b-free78cnv/ or http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?tag=lst-1&cdlPid=10834624 If you have any other AntiVirus programs, like Norton or MacAfee, don't install Free AVG until you have uninstalled these programs and restarted your computer. Never use two AntiVirus programs on one computer, it does not double protection, instead it just causes problems and makes the computer go slow. For the install... Click Next Click Accept Click Accept Click Next CHOOSE CUSTOM INSTALL, click Next Click Next Click Next Click Yes - to install to the default folder location Click Next Click Next I recommend un-checking the AVG security toolbar. If you feel you need or want the extra protection then keep it checked. Click Next Click Finish You will need to close any open Internet Windows... After install you will have a quick setup to click through. Click Next You can pick a time for Free AVG to scan your computer. I usually choose a time during the night like 3 AM. But if you work during the day or just don't us your computer during an hour of the day, choose that time. Click Next Click Next Click Skip Click Next Click Finish Save your files....Close all programs... Restart your computer. After reboot, find the icon (in the system tray, next to the clock) right click on it and click update. After the initial update (for virus definitions) you will not need to manually update again. But you should check and make sure it's working properly every once in a while... ************************************************************** ************** Anti Spyware - Spybot Search and Destroy **************** In addition I recommend installing Spybot Search and Destroy. It is a FREE anti spyware program that works very well. This program has two parts, the "Resident Shield" and the main program that you manually can use to scan for spyware. The main program should be used to scan right after install / updates. I recommend (during install) that you DO install the resident shield, however some may not like the resident shield. The resident shield will stop unknown changes to the system registry (windows settings) that are usually changed / added to during program installation and unfortunately by virus' and spyware. If you are installing a program and are using resident shield, you will need to ALLOW changes made by the installer, sometimes being one or two "ALLOW's" and sometimes being up to 10 or so. If a virus or spyware makes it onto your machine and your antivirus program doesn't catch it, then you will know right away when it is trying to make changes to your system. ****************************