Install and use antivirus software
Antivirus programs constantly patrol your computer, seeking out signs of a
possible virus and destroying or deactivating the virus before it has a chance
to infect or damage your computer. Windows doesn’t include antivirus software,
so unless your computer came with preinstalled antivirus software, you
must purchase it from a third party.
Antivirus software wears out very quickly. In order for it to remain effective,
you must continually download new updates or definitions from the software
manufacturer’s Web site. Without those updates, your antivirus software can
only protect you against old viruses. It can’t protect you from any new viruses that appear.
Some antivirus software enables you to turn on an automatic update feature.
That enables the antivirus program to automatically link to the manufacturer’s
Web site and download new virus definitions as they become available. Look
for that feature in your software and make sure that it’s turned on.
Also look for a feature that performs automatic scans on your computer on a
timed basis or every time you connect to the Internet.
Table 21-1 lists popular antivirus software, its manufacturer, and its
Web site.
| Table 21-1 |
Popular Antivirus Software |
| Manufacturer |
Product |
Web site |
| Symantec Corporation |
Norton Antivirus |
www.symantec.com |
| McAfee.com Corporation |
VirusScanOnline |
www.mcafee.com |
| F-Secure F- |
Secure Anti-Virus |
www.f-secure.com/ |
| Trend Micro,Inc. |
PC-cillin |
www.trendmicro.com |
| Norman |
Norman Virus Control |
www.norman.com |
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