| How safe is your computer? Could you be in danger | | | | generally allow continual updates. Some may require |
| of getting a virus on your system? Just how real is the | | | | that you register again at the end of year, but the |
| danger? What steps should you take if any? | | | | software and updates will still be free. Two such |
| While visiting with a one of my students, I became | | | | programs are listed below. For more options and |
| aware that her anti-virus software was over | | | | reviews on programs you can do a search on google |
| seventeen months old and had never been updated. | | | | for anti-virus software. |
| Upon informing her that she should update her | | | | AVG anti-virus, Free edition |
| anti-virus software regularly, she was totally surprised. | | | | Free avast! 4 Home Edition |
| Furthermore she had no concept how essential this | | | | 3. Do exercise caution when downloading files from |
| was to ensure her system's safety. Therefore I | | | | the Internet. Be sure to download from well known and |
| thought it wise to write about some of the precautions | | | | reputable sources. Ascertain that your anti-virus |
| you should take to avoid becoming infected with a | | | | software is set to scan files while you are |
| computer virus. | | | | downloading. I have that feature enabled in my |
| While there are many 'virus' hoaxes, and please do not | | | | anti-virus program and it scans all files when I am in the |
| pass any of these hoaxes on as these may actually | | | | process of downloading, and it has on occasion |
| contain viruses, computer viruses do pose a very real | | | | prevented me from downloading a file that was |
| danger. Therefore I've listed a few preventative | | | | infected or posed a potential danger. These programs |
| measures that you should take to ensure computer | | | | work so take advantage of the security your anti-virus |
| safety. | | | | will provide by using all of the safety features. |
| 1. Do install an anti-virus software program and update | | | | 4. New viruses creep upon a daily basis. It is important |
| it often as there are new viruses discovered | | | | to back up your important files regularly. CD's and |
| everyday. I update my anti-virus database daily. At | | | | DVD's hold a large amount of information. Take |
| least weekly should be a goal. If you are not updating | | | | advantage of this and store your valuable information |
| perpetually, it is like having an insurance policy and | | | | and computer programs on these removable disks. In |
| never paying the premiums. In no time at all it would be | | | | the event that a virus should ever invade your system |
| worthless. | | | | and your files become corrupted you will be able to |
| 2. Be wary of email from strangers. Never open an | | | | replace them with your backup copies. |
| email with an attachment from a source that is | | | | 5. Lastly apply the little rule, 'When in doubt do without'. |
| unknown or suspicious. Virus containing emails can be | | | | If you are uncertain, whether it is with an unknown |
| very persuasive in the subject line. Do not let your | | | | source in your email or a web site that offers a |
| curiosity be aroused. | | | | download, then best not to take a chance. No email |
| I prefer an anti-virus program that has the ability to | | | | message or free software is worth the damage to |
| check all email sent and received. If you update it | | | | your computer files and the time and expense of |
| often, this should keep you safe, although nothing is | | | | repairing your PC. Do not be fooled, computer viruses |
| 100% secure. There are good programs that offer a | | | | do affect everyone. |
| free version for personal use. These programs | | | | |