Anybody who watches cable/satellite TV has no doubt seen the endless stream of commercials for PC Matic computer protection, including the claims that the product is top rated (by a computer magazine no one has likely ever heard of).

Before you fall for the hype, do yourself a favor and do a Google check for "PC Matic Scam" and check out some of the many negative reviews.

Most common complaints:

1. It does not work

2. It will mess up your computer

3. They keep coming back again and again for more money to remove viruses and malware that they identify.

One can never have too much computer protection these days, provided that the programs can run compatibly - but I will pass on this one! Currently, I use Malware Bytes (the professional edition), Adaware Total Security and Spybot Search and Destroy.

I've tried most of the other "band names" and they seem to do ok for the most part - but isn't it odd that each one seems to be able to fix one or more problems that the others cannot? I have seen speculation - and I believe it - that each of the big anti-virus/anti-malware companies have their own skunk works which creates viruses that only their programs can handle . . .