Scan downloaded software

for viruses before using it Some hackers create programs, infect them with a virus, and post them onto the Internet for unsuspecting people to download. When people run these infected programs, they infect their own computers.

To avoid this, don’t download programs from suspicious places: newsgroups, pirate software sites, or sites that don’t scan their programs for viruses before posting them. Scan any downloaded programs with antivirus software before running them on your computer.

Use a firewall

A firewall places a guard at your computer’s connection to the Internet.

Windows Vista and XP come with a firewall that helps keep malicious people from connecting to your computer through an unsecured Internet connection and planting viruses or backdoors.

Chapter 18 explains how to turn on the firewall built into Windows Vista.

Don’t forward hoaxes

Just about everybody has received a message saying that a new virus is spreading rapidly and isn’t detected by virus programs. The message usually says to search for a certain file on your computer and immediately delete it.

The message ends by asking you to pass along the message to all your friends.

Almost all of these messages are hoaxes — the computer equivalent of April Fools’ Day pranks.

Don’t pass along these types of messages to your friends because they only cause more paranoia and uncertainty about viruses.

To check the truth of an e-mail like this,

Repairing virus damage

Although antivirus software programs work well at detecting viruses and disinfecting your computer, disinfection only removes the virus from your computer; it doesn’t reverse the damage done by the virus. If your computer is infected, follow these steps to repair as much of the damage as possible:

1. Write down or print out the name of the virus.Your antivirus program tells you which particular virus strain attacked your computer.

2. Locate the damaged programs and files. Many antivirus programs provide you with a list of your damaged files. A few list your damaged programs, as well, if they can figure out what’s been damaged. Print out the list, as you may need it for reference.

3. Visit your antivirus program’s Web site. The nice antivirus companies write special programs that automatically repair damage done by major viruses. If you get lucky and find one for your particular strain of virus, download the program, run it, and let it repair the damage.

4. Figure out what programs contained the damaged files. This is the most difficult part and requires some major sleuthing on your part. If the antivirus software doesn’t list the programs that contained your damaged files, and it doesn’t offer a free repair tool, you have to figure out what programs are damaged on your own. By carefully researching your list of damaged files, you can often tell which programs contained them. I’ve had the best luck using the Google search engine (www.google. com) described in Chapter 22. Carefully type in the exact name of the damaged file into the Search box and search Google’s Web and Groups areas to see what programs those files are associated with. Chances are, you’ll spot the file’s name listed somewhere in a context that makes it possible for you to identify it.

5. Reinstall the program that contained the damaged files. If you have a backup, great! Use that to reinstall your damaged programs. If not, reinstall your program from its original installation CDs. Then visit the program manufacturer’s Web site; you may need to download updates or patches released since you bought the program.

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