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Computer viruses are a fact of modern, internet-connected life. At best, they're annoying performance sucking beasts, but at worst ... kiss all your data good bye. We all need to take steps to make sure that our computers are safe, or we risk infection. Complacency is not an option. And yet, even after all the news, and all the warnings, and after all this time ... complacency remains all too common. There are four important steps: 1. Install and Run an Anti-Virus Program There are many out there. Personally, I run Computer Associate's eTrust AntiVirus. It was the corporate standard solution where I used to work, and has served me exceedingly well for several years now. I have it scheduled to update signatures and scan every night. I've also heard good things about Panda Antivirus, AVG Anti Virus, and Kaspersky Anti-Virus. Symantec maintains one of the best reference sites for virus related security issues. Free and On-Line Virus Scanners: I've learned that not all virus scanners catch all viruses. I recommend having a selection of free virus scanners to run as a "second tier". AVG has a free product. Trend Micro's Housecall, and Panda's Active Scan are on-line scanners that download as an ActiveX control in your browser. Most downloadable virus scanning solutions often include free trial periods that can also come in handy as one-time second-level scans. Download and install the package of your choice. Now. Before you forget. Download and install the package of your choice. Now.
Before you forget.
2. Update the Anti-Virus Database Your first step should be to update the virus signature database that came with the installation. New viruses are being created every day, and the databases that the anti-virus programs use are being updated as well. You need to get the latest database for your program right away. Most of the programs have update functions that will locate, download and install the latest databases automatically. Make sure that this is enabled. 3. Run Regular Scans Most of the anti-virus programs work automatically. Once installed they are configured to scan all incoming and outgoing files, and often hook into your email in some way to double check that your received email is clean as well. Unless you know what you're doing, make sure that this "real time" scanning is enabled. I also recommend periodically running scans of your hard disk(s). Certainly when you first install the software you should run a full scan. Then, depending on how heavily used your machine is, you should run a scan periodically as well. Some programs will allow you to schedule such a scan to happen automatically. In my case, for example, since my computers are on 24 hours a day, I schedule full virus scans nightly, while I'm asleep. 4. Keep Windows Up-To-Date Visit Windows Update regularly, or simply enable the automatic update feature in Windows XP. All software has bugs. Some of those bugs are used to create the exploits that virus writers take advantage of to create viruses that can infect your system. As these bugs are found, Microsoft fixes the affected components in the operating system, and makes those fixes available for download and install using Windows Update. The "problem", is that even once the bugs are discovered and publicized, and even when the fix is available, virus writers get busy writing viruses that still exploit them. Why? Because they know not everyone stays up-to-date. (As an example, one of my most popular articles here on Ask Leo! is being read by thousands of people each month who are still being affected by a virus using an exploit that was patched close to two years ago.) Keep Windows up-to-date. Let someone else have the "fun" of being infected with the latest viruses. Visit Windows Update weekly, or enable automatic update. Additional Notes Sadly, there is no "best" anti-virus program. Each may miss some something that the other's catch. That's one of the reasons I list several. The best advice is to use one, any one, and have the others "on call" for those cases when spyware sneaks past the one you use regularly. If you do install more than one package, you should not enable the "real time" scanning for more than one at the same time - they will conflict with each other, and will cause unpredictable results. Related:
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recently i was sent a message on aim asking me if it was ok to put a pic of me on myspace and it had a link not realizing this was a virus i responded. everytime i open my aim it will starting sending this same message to everyone on by buddylist.i have scanned for virus on mcafee several times it says it has fixed the problem but it doesnt. 2viruses that keep showing are hacker defender.gen and backdoor-diz any advice Posted by: kelsey at August 3, 2006 08:28 AM i am having the same exact problem, i have mcafee spydoctor adaware xoftspy windows defender and a few others and yet it keeps showing back up, please tell me, is there a way to permanently remove it?? thank you, Kris Posted by: Kris at August 27, 2006 06:21 PManyone know what a file called content.IE5\davwafEB\[1].HTM IS? Norton found it for me. Posted by: Brian at January 18, 2007 07:02 PMIn reality, although everybody says that you need to run a virus program, you do not. I have been online for 7 years now, and have never downloaded a virus. The easiest thing to do is NEVER open a ".exe" file, or open any attachments that come from anybody using Outlook Express. I keep my computer totally up to date (imagine an operating system that is so buggy it needs over 80 updates), but, still the same, it's up to date. I update and run Spyware prgrams (Ad-aware,Spybot, and Windows Defender). I do NOT pay for Spysweeper, as it is not worth it. No program will find ALL spyware (as evident when I run my scans). Lastly, anybosy who knows ANYTHING about the Internet will NOT use IE (any version), but instead will use Firefox (Isn't that little "Click to activate and use this control" pop-up annoying?)? That only occurs with IE, and only because Microsoft lost a lawsuit relating to it's indescrimate use of Active-X controls. A long time ago, I DID use a virus program, but my machine became so slow due to updates and scans that I gave up on them. I've been always been virus free - just by being aware and careful. Posted by: Carl at January 26, 2007 06:18 PMI've got a Mac. I didn't think it was possible to catch a virus that would steal my email address. But I just got spam sent from my email address to me! What can I do about it? Posted by: Sharon at April 2, 2007 01:55 AM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Probably has nothing to do with your Mac or a virus. See this article: Leo iD8DBQFGEUOHCMEe9B/8oqERAhcMAJ9wsDYk8BkpfMJ+prd1HIkDobnbAwCcDnyy So far using Firefox has been a big help in avoiding SOME viruses. But some still get in. Posted by: George Arauz at May 9, 2007 05:54 PMI have: about:blank...how to get rid of this? Posted by: Pattie at June 7, 2007 07:26 AMThere are 6 svchost.exe running on my system.My system gets very slow.Three are in small case like "svchost.exe" and three like "SVCHOST.EXE".Is this virus.How to get rid of these .Please help.Thanks Posted by: Seema at July 9, 2007 10:20 PMI have been reading through your website and have already learned so much. I am writing because I have a process "svc.host.exe" runing in my task manager, can you PLEASE walk me through removing the cause for this > Thank You, Robert Posted by: rober at May 23, 2008 09:33 PM-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- If you mean svchost.exe, that's an expected and important If you mean svc.host.exe (with an extra dot), then I'm not Leo
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