Viruses
If a stranger wandered in off the street and asked to use your phone, you'd probably be pretty wary. You might ask to see some I.D. and you'd keep an eye out for any strange behaviour.
Anti-virus programs work much the same way. They look at the contents of each file, searching for specific patterns that match a profile, or virus signature. For each file that matches a signature, the anti-virus program will give you options as to how it should respond. These options might include wiping the offending pattern or destroying the file.
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Make sure your Anti-virus software is up to date
Anti-virus software can only detect the viruses it knows about and new viruses come out every day. The updates that anti-virus software vendors release are so that the software can detect newer viruses. You should update your software at least once a week to make sure that you’re fully protected.
Make sure the software is turned on and working properly
Turn your anti-virus software on, and check it’s turned on every time you start your computer. Most will have a little picture in the bottom right corner of the screen to tell you that everything’s OK. This is important as some virus infections will turn off your anti-virus software to avoid detection. If your anti-virus software won’t start, or it’s not working as it should it’s a good indication that you might already be infected. Don’t ignore it.
Regularly scan your computer for viruses
Most anti-virus software will have automatic protection that constantly monitors your computer for problems. But it’s a good practice to run a thorough scan of your computer regularly just in case.
When the anti-virus program suppliers learn about a new virus, they provide an updated set of virus signatures that include the new one. Your computer then swots up on this new virus and begins scanning each file for it and all the older viruses. However, viruses never completely fade away. Their signatures remain part of the master version of all virus signatures.
Check everything for viruses
Viruses can reach your computer just about every which way- through floppy disks, CD-ROMs, email, web sites, and downloaded files.
All of them need to be checked for viruses every time you use them. Before you use a floppy disk, check it for viruses. When you receive an email, check it for viruses. And when you download a file from the Internet …
... you get the idea.
Most anti-virus programs let you choose which bits of your computer you want checked. Just specify email or web files (or CD-ROMs or floppy disks or whatever) and they'll test them every time. Some smart-alec programs do this without even being asked. In which case, all you have to do is to open or run the file.
