| Viruses can infect computers and play havoc with | | | | scanning while the other can be used manually to |
| files on the computer. They can destroy and | | | | scan selected files. |
| cause irreparable crashes. Computers can be | | | | • Before installing new antivirus software |
| protected from virus by installing anti virus | | | | you need to remove old antivirus software, |
| systems. The internet being an information | | | | reboot the computer and then proceed with the |
| highway has in depth articles on antivirus systems | | | | installation of the new antivirus system. |
| and how a computer user can choose an | | | | • Always choose an antivirus system |
| appropriate system and what the latest anti virus | | | | that is recommended by experts. Read ZDnet or |
| software are. You must always choose antivirus | | | | PC magazine online and find out what their editors |
| products that are certified by either Checkmark, | | | | recommend. Popular choices are BitDefender, |
| ICSALabs, or VB100%. Choose an antivirus | | | | McAfee, and Kaspersky Lab, these are suitable |
| system that has passed the rigorous tests | | | | for both known and unknown malware. |
| conducted by AV-Test org. | | | | Computer experts recommend that the |
| What an anti virus system does is it scans the | | | | computer should be scanned regularly to detect |
| computer files for any known viruses matching | | | | infections. There are antivirus packages that |
| definitions in the virus dictionary. It will also identify | | | | permit automatic scans, this will scan specified files |
| suspicious behavior for existing computer | | | | or directories automatically and warn you of any |
| programs that is indicative of infections. Antivirus | | | | infections. |
| systems act by: | | | | To protect your system completely it is |
| • Repairing infected files by removing the | | | | important to scan files before opening them. |
| virus from the file. | | | | Always scan email attachments and web |
| • Quarantine the virus infected file so | | | | downloads before opening the files in your |
| that it does not spread. | | | | system. Always scan DVDs and CDs for viruses |
| • Delete the infected file. | | | | before opening any files. |
| • Choose antivirus software that is | | | | Keep the antivirus system updated and read |
| simple to use and suits your particular computer | | | | reviews as well as blogs written by experts on |
| system. | | | | anti virus software systems. Visit sites like for |
| • Determine whether you will require an | | | | the latest updates on computer viruses. |
| antivirus and anti-spyware scanner. Very often | | | | The World Wide Web has several online |
| antivirus systems like McAfee have spyware | | | | resources where you will find valuable information |
| protection as well as anti virus protection in one | | | | on antivirus systems for your computer. Popular |
| system. | | | | sources are: and . |
| • According to experts you must only | | | | If you keep your computer protected from |
| have one kind of antivirus system running on your | | | | viruses you will never have to worry about |
| computer. Or if you do need two separate | | | | loosing valuable data. |
| systems then one must be enabled for real time | | | | |