6 Steps to Avoiding Computer Viruses

Computer viruses are created specifically to corrupt data in your computer.  They also replicate themselves and spread by many different means.  Here are 6 steps to help avoid viruses.

1) Be certain that you have anti-virus software installed on your PC.  Often a new PC comes with either Norton Anti-Virus or McAfee Anti-Virus already installed.  If your computer does not have an anti-virus software package installed, and you are using the internet, your computer is susceptible to viruses.  There are some good, free anti-virus software packages that can be downloaded from the internet.  One is AVG, and the other is called Avast.

2) Use your anti-virus software.  Either set it up to update and run at a certain time every day or even once a week, or mark your calendar and run it once a week manually.

3) Make sure your software is up to date.  If you are on cable internet or DSL, your PC is always connected to the internet, so your anti-virus software should go looking for updates at regular intervals.  If you are on dial-up, you will need to do updates yourself.  Make sure that when you run your software, you are checking for and downloading any available updates first.  Even if you are on high-speed internet, it's good to just check for updates on occasion.

4) Understand that no anti-virus software is going to be 100% foolproof.  New viruses are being created all the time and updates need time to catch up.  You can still get a virus, even with software, but the chance is much lower.

5) Know that viruses can come from anywhere and everywhere.  Email, websites, a CD or DVD that came from another PC, a thumb drive that has data from another PC, instant messaging, the list is long.  Never open emails that are questionable.  Don't visit shady websites.  If others are using your computer, encourage them to limit downloads and surfing.

6) If you get a virus, don't feel like you've done something terrible.  You could've gotten it from the forward your mom sent you of the happy dancing turtle that sings, "Have a great day!"  Run your anti-virus software and get it out of there or at least quarantined.  If you cannot remove a virus yourself, back up your data and seek professional help.

Posted:Tuesday, August 21, 2007