VIRUS / ANTI VIRUS Do you remember the television commercial a number of years ago that started with, "it's 10PM.......do you know where your children are right now?" Well, here is a new twist on that thought. It's any time of the day......do you know exactly what your anti virus software will do if it detects a virus? Do you even have an anti virus application installed?
If you cannot answer these question positively, odds are good you are not protected. Simply installing an anti virus software application following the default settings does not ensure that it is installed or setup correctly to aid in protecting you against a virus. On the same note also, just simply having an anti virus application installed does not necessarily mean you are completely protected. The best anti virus software application in the world is only as good as the user using it. There are many different flavors of anti virus software applications to choose from. All pretty much do the job. The thing you want to look for is, does the AV software come with the ability to download updates and current virus signatures. The updates are important to keep your AV application up-to-date and functioning correctly. The virus signature updates are extremely important to keep your AV application current to recognize the latest viruses as they appear in the world. For example: if today you purchase an AV application like Norton Anti Virus, McAfee or ETrust and you never download and update the virus signatures, a virus that was not present today could be tomorrow. Your AV application would probably detect anything from today prior, but not necessarily from today forward. You could be running an AV application thinking that you are protected and all of a sudden be attacked by a new virus. Your AV application knows nothing about the virus because it was not aware to look for it. Staying current with virus signature updates is extremely important! Some AV applications offer the updates free for a period of time, perhaps a year. You will need to renew the subscription after that period. Other anti virus applications require you to pay up front for a subscription to download virus signature updates. Either way, it is important and necessary. Make sure that your AV application is setup to either download and install new virus signature updates automatically or at least notify you whenever you are on the internet that updates are available and prompt you to download and install. When you get the prompt that updates are available to download, act upon it immediately. Don't put it off! Different AV applications by default will take different actions when a virus is detected. All of these actions are always configurable in the OPTIONS or SETUP section of your particular AV application. However, some AV applications allow for more options and control up front. - The worse action that could be taken is .... no action. Meaning, some AV applications by default will only NOTIFY you if a virus is detected. By that time, it's to late!
- Some AV applications by default are set to try to cure the virus. However, many viruses cannot be cured. This setting may also be to late.
- Some AV applications will attempt to cure the virus and if it cannot, will move or attempt to move it to a quarantined folder on your hard drive. This is better than nothing, but not my favorite method as the culprit is still on your hard drive.
- My preference is to set the AV application to DELETE the virus immediately upon detection. This method will not stop to think about what it should or should not do. It will just delete it. There are some who say that this method is not the best because if the AV application becomes confused as to whether there really is a virus or it thinks possibly there is and makes a mistake, it will delete the culprit anyway. All of my machines are virus free. All of my important data is backed up regularly. My AV applications have never made that mistake. However, if indeed that was to happen I can easily rebuild my machine and restore my data quickly.
Doing nothing is not only insane but also irresponsible. As long as you use your computer to connect to the internet, download email, swap files and software between computers like home and office, friends and family you are vulnerable. It is not a question of IF....it is a matter of WHEN. The following is a list of links for more information concerning viruses and anti virus applications: [^ Top of page] Serving the greater Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, Issaquah and Eastside Area for over 15 years. DeHan Computer Services, offering professional computer services to the greater Seattle, Bellevue and Eastside area for over 15 years. Computer services include: Website Design, Hardware installation, Software installation, Custom built systems, Diagnostics, Computer Repair, Upgrades, Virus removal, IT Technical Support and much much more.
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