The above listed features are just a part of all the uses. There are many other advantages of using Linux like:

• Workspace
  

  Enables you to swap your desktop, so that you can open many windows without Confusion

• GIMP
  

  A photo editing software which is as good as Adobe Photoshop, and for free

• OpenOffice
  

  Has applications for word processing, spread sheets and presentations, hence can easily replace MS Office that costs you so much.

CD burning, Torrent file downloads, Photo viewing and managing, encryption of files and folders with password, Memory Monitor, Taking Screenshots etc. are all in-built features of Linux.

So when are YOU shifting to Linux?

1. New viruses are created everyday, for this reason you should make sure your operating system (whether it be Windows, Macintosh or any other system), these updates generally pop up onto your screen every now and again, because your computer automatically searches for them. Don't think, oh I can't be bothered to download this update and chose download later, download it now it is made to protect and improve your computer. The same thing applies for internet browsers (Firefox, Internet Explorer etc... ).
2. Make sure you have up to date anti-virus software. Anti-virus software will prevent viruses from entering your computer. I recommend Norton anti-virus but if you don't want to spend anything on Norton then the free version of AVG anti-virus is an excellent piece of software and can be downloaded from here. As soon as you have installed your anti-virus software, I recommend you run an immediate virus-scan of your computer. This will make sure your computer isn't already infected with a virus, if it is the virus will be destroyed. From then on I would advise scanning your computer for viruses every 2-3 months.
3. Get a firewall, you should already have one built into your operating system, but most of these are inadequate and easy for hackers and Trojan horses to get round. For this reason I suggest that you download Comodo firewall which is excellent and free, it can be downloaded from here. This will keep Trojan horses and hackers out of your computer, thus protecting your personal details.
4. This one is for windows users only, sorry to those of you on different operators. Running a windows OneCare safety scan will protect your computer, clean it up and increase its performance. These scans take an hour or two, but are well worth it and you can still use your computer whilst the scan is running. You can run a scan by clicking here.
5. Spybot search and destroy is an amazing piece of free software. It protects your computer from spyware, scans for spyware that may already be in your system and destroys any spyware it finds. You can download it from here. There are also tutorials describing how to use Spybot, on the website mentioned.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this article, if you decide to follow any of these steps. Your computer will be better protected from viruses; Trojan horses; hackers and spyware. These steps may also improve the performance of your computer. I will not be held responsible for any side effects that may occur from following this guide (I don't think there will be, but just in case).

Things to do to protect your computer from ads and viruses.

1. Turn on your pop-up blocker! It saves time and effort trying to delete ads and viruses. If you need to view a pop up, it is much simpler to click the bar that internet explorer opens as an option.
2. Download anti-virus software. This protects your computer if a virus does happen to stray into your system.
3. Use a firewall. If you need to download something, you can always turn it off.
4. Regularly transfer your important data onto your USB, and format the hard drive to remove everything on it. Than put the important things back. This will usually delete most viruses.

These will usually destroy all viruses.

I never knew the difference between adware and spyware. Now, I don't have to worry. Spyware Terminator is adware and spyware removal. I feel that I don't need Ad-aware now, Spysweeper, and an anti - virus program.

Sometimes other programs seem to get old even when they are updated. They seem to find a great number of threats when you first download them and only a few after you have had the program for a long time. If your computer does not seem to perform any better, and if your terminator seems to keep finding the same old threat every time you scan, it is time for something new.

I noticed that Spyware Terminator found some threats that I kept seeing in my other terminating programs. It was suppose to have gotten rid of them. With Spyware Terminator, you can remove them. It found threats that I did not know I had. Try Spyware Terminator today and find out more.

A virus is a small program (or script) that was written for the express purpose of reproducing itself over and over on a host computer. The virus attaches itself to a host program and continually writes unwanted commands to a computer's autoexec.bat files or the config.sys file. A virus can come in the form of a worm (which spreads from one host program to another), or it can come in the form of a Trojan (which is masked within a program for a long period of time and becomes hard to detect until you attempt to run that specific program (hence you engage the Trojan). Although a virus may sound like it's a simple pain in the posterior, it can be very damaging to your computer's hardware, software, and it can eventually cause one to lose valuable data from their systems.

Here are some signs to look for to determine whether or not your computer has a virus:

• Wrong or out of place programs or applications executing on their own
• Numerous pop-ups and unrelated warning messages constantly filling your screen
• Unusual actions such as changes in the screen (color or shade) and the graphics in general
• Change in ram usage. The amount of available ram sometimes decreases as the virus runs its script (press control, alt, delete to bring up the task manager. Under the performance tab you can see your ram usage)
• A change in file sizes
• Unrecognized icons or files
• If one knows the contents of their autoexec.bat and their config.sys files, you can look for inserted lines or commands that have been added.
• Freezing or slowing down of your computer
• Uncommanded disk activity
• File sizes increase on the disk as a whole
• Your amount of free space on your hard drive suddenly decreases drastically
• Wrong access dates of files
• Pull-down menus are distorted and unorganized
• Gibberish characters appear on the names of icons and in the toolbars
• Printing is made difficult (may even print gibberish characters and nothing else)
• Cannot access disk drives properly
• Applications work incorrectly
• Computer turns off and restarts suddenly (common with Trojans)
• Internet speed diminishes or the Internet is inaccessible altogether

Solutions

Now that we know what viruses are and are capable of doing, what is a best defense? Use of a firewall can help protect your computer. A good virus scanner (that you keep updated) is a must. Scanning regularly is also very important. Even when you don't suspect a virus, give your computer a chance to be scanned. You may just be surprised.

Keeping away from unsafe Internet sites (porn, warez, free programs) is also a good idea. These sites tend to bombard you with pop-ups, which in some cases are ad-ware Trojans that will appear repeatedly on your computer as ads.

Always have your important data backed up on disk, CD or external drive. Although we can take steps to protect our computer systems and ourselves, nothing is 100? foolproof. Take the time to back up you pictures, your work and your important data!