Top 10 Tips
to Keep Your Computer Virus-Free
1. Install reliable Antivirus
software. It's the most important step you can take towards
keeping your computer clean of viruses. Norton AntiVirus is the
world's leading antivirus software. It runs continuously in the
background of your computer, providing constant protection from
viruses, Trojan horses, worms, and other malicious code. To stay
up-to-date on the latest online threats, Norton AntiVirus can
automatically update its virus definitions whenever you're
online.
2. Scan all incoming email attachments. Be sure to run each
attachment you plan to open through an Antivirus check. Do this
even if you recognize and trust the sender. As mentioned above,
malicious code, like Trojan horses, can slip into your system by
appearing to be from a friendly source.
3. Don't open questionable attachments. Many viruses are spread
through email attachments that look like they are coming from a
friend. First, be sure your email program doesn't automatically
download attachments. This will ensure that you can examine and
scan attachments before they run. (Refer to your email program's
safety options or preferences menu for instructions.) Second,
before you open an attachment, consider the source. Does the
friend you received the email from often send you attachments?
If the email seems out of the ordinary, or the message seems too
generic for your friend to have sent it to you, it may contain a
virus.
4. Get immediate protection. If your antivirus software doesn't
already do so, configure it to boot automatically on start-up
and run at all times. This will provide you back-up protection
in case you forget to scan an attachment, or decide not to.
5. Update your Antivirus software frequently. An antivirus
program is only as good as the frequency with which it is
updated. New viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are born daily,
and variations of them can slip by software that is not current.
Norton AntiVirus and Norton Internet Security can both be set to
search for new virus definitions every time you go online, so
you are always up to date.
6. Don't download programs from the Web. Unreliable sources such
as Internet newsgroups or Web sites that you haven't heard of
may be willing providers of viruses for your computer. Avoid
downloading files you can't be sure are safe. This includes
freeware, screensavers, games, and any other executable program
- any files with an ".exe" or ".com" extension, such as "coolgame.exe."
If you do download from the Internet, be sure to scan each
program before running it. When downloading multiple files, save
all downloads to one folder, then run a virus check on
everything in the folder before using it.
7. Don't boot from a floppy disk. Floppies are one of the most
common ways viruses are transmitted. If you are using a floppy
while working on your computer, remove it when you shut the
machine off or the computer will automatically try to boot from
the floppy, perhaps launching a virus on the disk.
8. Scan floppies before using them. If you must share floppies
between friends or with more than one computer, always scan them
before using them. You could easily pick up a virus from an
insecure network and introduce it into your system. Running a
virus scan before launching any programs or files on the disk
will prevent infection.
9. Don't share floppies. Even a well-meaning friend may
unknowingly pass along a virus, Trojan horse, or worm. Label
your floppies clearly so you know they're yours and don't loan
them out.
10. Use common sense. It's always better to err on the side of
safety. If you're unsure about an attachment, delete it.
Especially if it's from a source you don't recognize.
