| There are some simple steps you must take to avoid | | | | downloaded software. |
| becoming a victim of computer viruses and also stop | | | | Routine MaintenanceMake regular back ups of |
| from spreading viruses to others. Here are some | | | | important dataMake it a habit to back up all of your |
| things that you can and should do.Email Issues to | | | | most important files at least once a month. Store the |
| watchNever open an E-mail with an attachment you | | | | back up discs in a safe place.Clean any virus/worm |
| were not expecting.The latest batch of virus programs | | | | trojan off your computerUsing your antivirus software, |
| are often spread by E-mail. Even if your anti-virus | | | | perform a full system scan of your PC, hopefully it will |
| program does not warn you about the attached file | | | | detect and remove the virus. If a virus was detected, |
| and even if the eMail appears to come from someone | | | | restart your computer and run the full scan again. |
| you know, do not open it if you were not expecting it, | | | | Sometime the virus will keep reappearing, due to the |
| and if you were expecting it, only open it AFTER | | | | evolving nature of viruses. Symantec is particularly fast |
| scanning it with your up-to-date virus software.Scan | | | | at providing removal tools should you ever get a virus |
| ALL incoming email attachments (regardless of who | | | | or worm infesting your computer.What is a removal |
| sent it).Be sure to run each attachment you plan to | | | | tool? Well simply put it is a simple software that will |
| open through the anti-virus check. Do this even if you | | | | scan your computer for infections, and then remove |
| recognize and trust the sender; malicious code, like | | | | them from your machine. You most often need this if |
| Trojan horses, can slip into your system by appearing | | | | your machine got infected BEFORE you installed |
| to be from a friendly source. | | | | antivirus software. |
| Turn off the 'automatic preview' in your email | | | | Top Considerations for PC ProtectionAnd the final |
| program.Automatically previewing an email message | | | | and most important two things to do to keep your |
| has the exact same effect as opening and reading an | | | | computer clean and make sure it does not spread |
| email. My of the newest internet worms, trojans, and | | | | viruses to other computers...Install a FirewallIf you use a |
| viruses simply need to have an email message read in | | | | broadband/high-speed method to access the internet, |
| order for them to be activated. Turning off the | | | | you need to get a firewall. A firewall is a program that |
| preview feature allows you to scan any email | | | | defends your computer from hackers who attempt to |
| BEFORE you actually read it. | | | | gain direct access to your computer over the Internet. |
| Disk Issues to watchDon't boot from a floppy | | | | There is a very good firewall program called |
| disk.Floppies are one of the most common ways | | | | ZoneAlarm that will do the trick if you use |
| viruses are transmitted. If you are using a floppy while | | | | Windows.Install and use a high-quality anti-virus |
| working on your computer, remove it when you shut | | | | program.This is the key to protecting your computer. |
| the machine off or the computer will automatically try | | | | Buy one of the major anti-virus programs - Norton |
| to boot from the floppy, perhaps launching any viruses | | | | Anti-Virus, PC-Cillin, or McAfee Anti-Virus. The primary |
| on the disk.Web Based IssuesKeep your web | | | | benefit of the commercial packages is the frequency |
| browser set to its highest security level.Its a pain to get | | | | and ease of updating the virus definition files that these |
| the warning messages on every other web page you | | | | programs use to detect viruses. With new viruses |
| visit, but its the best way to protect yourself - | | | | popping up all the time, unless your protection software |
| especially if you use Microsoft Internet Explorer and | | | | is kept updated, you start to become ever more |
| Outlook.Don't download programs from the | | | | vulnerable to infection.Get immediate |
| Web.Unreliable sources such as Internet newsgroups | | | | protection.Configure your anti-virus software to launch |
| or Web sites that you haven't heard of may be willing | | | | automatically on start-up and run at all times. This will |
| providers of viruses for your computer. Avoid | | | | provide you back-up protection in case you forget to |
| downloading files you can't be sure are safe. This | | | | scan an attachment, or decide not to. And in case you |
| includes freeware, screensavers, games, and any | | | | forget to load up your anti-virus software, configuring it |
| other executable program - any files with an ".exe" or | | | | to start by itself will ensure you get immediate |
| ".com" extension, such as "coolgame.exe." Check to | | | | protection anyway. The top antivirus software |
| see if the site has anti-virus software running on their | | | | programs all do this (but only if you have one installed |
| side. If you do have to download from the Internet, be | | | | on your computer). You do have current antivirus |
| sure to scan each program before running it. Save all | | | | software installed right?Learn how to remove |
| downloads to one folder, then run virus checks on | | | | blackworm virus and how to easily block trojan horses, |
| everything in the folder before using it. Regardless of | | | | spyware, computer viruses, and other malicious |
| where you download from, ALWAYS scan | | | | software in the future. |