| Congratulations on making a very wise decision | | | | appearing daily, you need to ask how many different |
| regarding your personal computer internet security with | | | | viruses the internet security software can detect. |
| respect to buying antivirus software. If by some | | | | 2. As noted in the first question, with the huge number |
| chance you are reading this article and are still unsure | | | | of viruses appearing, ask how often you will be sent |
| of the need for an internet security system for your | | | | updates to the antivirus program database to ensure |
| computer and /or network, I invite you to read my | | | | that your protection is up to date. |
| earlier article Computer Internet Security: How Viruses | | | | 3. Ask how easy it is to get the updated information |
| Can Destroy Your E-Business. | | | | about new viruses. |
| Now that you are ready to take the plunge and spend | | | | 4. Does the antivirus software have the ability to |
| some money on internet security products such as | | | | detect unusual or suspicious activity in your computer |
| antivirus software, it is important to understand exactly | | | | or network that may be the work of an unidentified |
| what this protective software does. Basically antivirus | | | | virus? |
| software has three goals: | | | | 5. If purchasing the internet security system for use on |
| - To prevent a virus infection from reaching your | | | | a server, then can the antivirus program detect virus |
| computer/network system before any damage can | | | | threats in compressed files? |
| be done. The antivirus software has a database | | | | 6. How stable is the virus alarm system, as you do not |
| containing the virus identification (called signatures) of all | | | | want to be flooded with virus alerts that turn out to be |
| known viruses (at the time the software was created), | | | | false? |
| and this can run into thousands of signatures. When | | | | 7. Ask how the internet security system notifies you of |
| you download information to your computer or | | | | an impending virus threat. |
| network from an outside source, be it the Internet or a | | | | 8. Are there any custom settings available in the |
| disk, the antivirus program scans the incoming | | | | computer internet security program that would allow |
| information for any of the virus signatures that are in | | | | you to quickly scan certain parts of your hard drive |
| its database. If a virus is identified, you are notified, | | | | files and directories which may be more prone to virus |
| before the downloaded information is allowed entry | | | | infections? |
| into your computer or network. | | | | 9. Is there a scanning log to inform you what was |
| - Provide a first line of defence against incoming virus | | | | detected, what was done to the infected files and |
| threats, if the software is installed on a computer | | | | what if anything more you need to do? |
| network, so that the network administrator has time to | | | | 10. What effect does installing and running the |
| take action to stop the virus from entering the system, | | | | computer internet security software have on your |
| or if already there, keep it from spreading and then | | | | computer and/or network operating speeds? (Some |
| disinfect (clean) any parts of the network that have | | | | brands of security software may not be advisable for |
| been corrupted by the virus. | | | | slower Internet connection speeds or even allowed by |
| - To take the necessary steps to clean and repair | | | | the Internet Service Provider due to their drain on the |
| your computer and/or network by either eliminating the | | | | system.) |
| infection and repairing damaged files or moving the | | | | I sincerely hope that using the questions provided |
| corrupted files to a safe or quarantine area so that no | | | | above as your buying guide will help you to make an |
| further damage can be done by the virus. | | | | informed decision about the best internet security for |
| Understanding what an internet security system should | | | | your computing needs when looking at the many |
| do is only one part of the journey. It is also very | | | | different internet security software reviews and |
| important to be able to make an informed decision as | | | | products. |
| to the best internet security software that will meet | | | | Stay tuned for my next article when we look at some |
| your requirements from the many internet security | | | | of the symptoms of an infected computer and/or |
| products currently available. | | | | network to help determine if you indeed have a |
| Here are 10 key questions to ask about any computer | | | | computer virus. (For those of you who are still |
| internet security you may be planning to purchase. | | | | determined to "live on the edge" and ignore the need |
| 1. Given the fact that the computer industry experts | | | | for good computer internet security. |
| claim that there are between 1 to 500 new viruses | | | | |