Viruses & Spyware

Viruses are a software program designed to infect, destroy or interfere with a computer or software program by replicating itself thus using up your computer's memory. They can wreak havoc on your operating system and also get into your address book and begin sending out emails from your system. Spyware is any software application that is generally installed without the knowledge or consent of the user, to obtain, use, or interfere with personal information by monitoring your activities.

Spyware and viruses are both serious threats to the security of your computer as they are not always observable as pop-ups. Be careful and you may be able to protect your personal information from these invasive online sources.

Protecting against viruses and spyware

There are several easy ways to protect your computer against viruses and spyware:

Invest in an anti-virus software : To keep up with any new threats, be sure to keep your anti-virus program updated, e.g. software such as McAfee's VirusScan or Symantec's Norton AntiVirus to detect and eliminate potential viruses on your computer.
Do not open email attachments or downloaded files without first saving them to your hard disk (C: drive). Your antivirus software should be configured to scan each file when it is saved and when it is opened.
Never open email attachments from individuals you do not know -- simply delete them.
Update your virus protection software regularly.
Use a firewall, especially if you have a high-speed, or "always on," connection to the Internet, such as DSL or cable modem.
Perform frequent scans on your computer to help detect viruses.
Check to make sure that your virus definitions and anti-spyware are up-to-date.

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Viruses & Spyware