Avoiding Viruses

Computer viruses have been around for a long time, but new ones are still causing damage today. How can you avoid computer viruses? As with spyware, you can't really. Once you've posted to an Internet elist or submitted your email information for a contest or even to shop, you will probably start getting emails with virus infected files attached.

This site is devoted to Windows based PCs, specifically Windows XP computers. Visit a MAC site or a Linux site for other assistance.

What Are Computer Viruses?

A computer virus is much like the virus that infects people with the flu. It infects a person, makes lots of copies of itself, which that person can then and often does pass on to someone else who repeats the process. Viruses infect your computer by inserting themselves into program code on your computer. They often use your email program to mail themselves off to all the friends or business contacts in your address book.

Much as viruses can mutate, computer viruses can change as they replicate making them harder to stop. Computer viruses can also have different impacts on your computer. The common cold is caused by a virus as is AIDs. One is ultimately fatal, while the other is not. That's true of computer viruses, too. But then who really wants to catch a cold?

For a more thorough definition of viruses including technical descriptions, we suggest you visit the Computer Virus article at Wikipedia.

How Can I Protect My Computer from Viruses?

Inform yourself
Learn how viruses get on your computer and what you can do about them by reading more at one of the following websites.

Microsoft Security at Home Viruses and Worms
This portion of the Microsoft website offers information and resources for protecting for protecting you from viruses or removing viruses from your computer.

This Man Has a Virus
"If a respectable-looking person handing out sample CDs on the street offered you one, would you take it home and run it? If he handed it to you on your commute to the office, would you run it at work? If someone called and said she was with IT and needed your computer's password, would you give it? If you said yes to any of these questions, you're a prime target for social engineering."

Protect Yourself

Get and install one of the top rated anti-virus programs. Set it up so that it downloads virus updates automatically.

Norton Antivirus 2006 PC Magazine Review of Norton Antivirus 2005
Protects against viruses, spyware, and adware.

McAfee VirusScan 2006 PC Magazine Review
Protects against viruses, spyware, and adware.

Suites:
Combination programs and suites offer additional protections. They may also include things you won't use or don't want. Windows XP provides its own firewall which may preclude the need for an additional firewall. In addition some of these programs are set to automatically turn off all Internet advertising including the non-invasive ads that support many informational websites. We favor the antivirus programs that contain spyware protection rather than going with the larger suites.

Norton Internet Security 2006 PC Magazine Review
Includes antivirus, antispam, a firewall, privacy controls, and parental controls.

McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006 PC Magazine Review
Includes antivirus, antispam, a firewall, privacy controls, and parental controls.

Zone Alarm Security Suite 6.0 PC Magazine Review
Antivirus, antispam, antispyware, firewall.

Cure Yourself

If your antivirus software discovers a virus it's best to allow it to attempt removal. If that's not possible, we suggest you visit the Norton Antivirus Removal Tools page to find the tool to use in removing your virus or the Symantec Virus Threat List to learn more about the virus causing you problems.

You may also wish to try the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool.