Antivirus Software ? Get The Bugs Before They Get You!

You turn on your computer, and it doesn't look quite right. Maybe your icons have changed, or the background picture is wrong. Some options are disabled. Even worse, you may not be able to boot your computer up at all. Guess what ? it's probably got a virus.

In today's online world, protecting your computer from all the nasty things online is vital. Viruses can cause obvious issues, as described above, but they can also run silently in the background, propagating themselves across your computer and transferring on to the computers of people you know. Mostly, you only know you have a virus when substantial damage has already been done.

Some common signs of a virus include:

• Programs working erratically
• Computer locks up
• Greyed out options
• The browser home page has changed
• Icons have changed
• Difficulties starting up the computer

There is a solution! Antivirus software is readily available, and the good ones are very efficient at dealing with viruses in all their many and varied mutations. Basically, if you're online, you need this type of software.

So which one do you choose? For starters, be careful of using something free off the internet, particularly if it's one you've never heard of. Sometimes these programs are a way of implanting more viruses on your computer. Some of the better known brands give you the option of doing a free scan online, which is useful, but not a long term solution.

It's really important to choose well-known antivirus software. Ask friends, or someone computer savvy, for their recommendations. It may be worth visiting a computer store and buying it there, rather than online ? after all, if they've gone to the trouble of stocking it, it's most likely an established and trusted product.

There are plenty of good brands available, far too numerous to list here, but some of the best known are from McAfee, Norton and Trend. Check out the support available to you ? can you contact someone if you have trouble installing the software?

Most importantly, make sure there's an easy way to update the software on a regular basis (preferably as part of the purchase cost!). For example, my antivirus software pops up a little box every time an upgrade is available. I click okay, and it's automatically downloaded to my computer. Viruses change and develop at an alarming rate, so it's vital to keep your antivirus software up to date.

Finally, the all-important backup! The word "backup" tends to produce the same glassy eyed response as the word "budget", but it really is an essential part of being online. Regularly backup your important files to CD or DVD. If you're a business user, an automated and frequent backup process is vital. Once a virus has destroyed your computer, it's too late.

Being online is wonderful, but don't let it become a nightmare. Antivirus software will play a vital role in keeping your online experience a positive one.

Copyright Felicity Walker 2005

Keeping her computer running smoothly is a priority for the author! To find out more, check out http://www.antiviruszoneonline.com for more information.

---

Assertion in Java

Assertion facility is added in J2SE 1.4. In order to... Read More

FreeDOS

Before September 1995, Microsoft Windows was an MS-DOS program. DOS... Read More

Photoshop Files and Formats

People often ask me: What image file formats will Photoshop... Read More

Beware of Spyware

One day, you suddenly realize that your computer started to... Read More

Microsoft Great Plains Chemicals & Paint Industry Implementation & Customization Notes

Microsoft Great Plains fits to majority of industries, in the... Read More

Microsoft CRM Modification ? Overview for IT Specialist

Microsoft CRM is now on the scene and it is... Read More

Reduce Pop-ups and Annoying Ads

There is many things more frustrating than surfing a website... Read More

What You Should Know About Installing Screensavers

Do you remember that frustrating feeling when you find an... Read More

Artificial Intelligence And Intuition

The intuitive algorithm.Roger Penrose considered it impossible. Thinking could never... Read More

Online PowerPoint Presentation ? Convert PowerPoint to Flash

Although we don't know whether Microsoft ever envisioned such a... Read More

QuarkXpress Tips: How to Move Content Between Print and Web Layouts

Since its release in 1987, QuarkXpress had made an immediate... Read More

Helping Newbies Understand Professional Software

The Windows registry is a huge database that ensures normal... Read More

The Dirt on Screensavers

Remember back in the days where screensavers were the coolest... Read More

Run Your Own Search Engine

Our hosted solution allow you to run your own search... Read More

Tools for Customizing Great Plains

Microsoft Business Solutions ? Great Plains has captured the US... Read More

Microsoft CRM Implementation & Remote Support

We would like to give you pluses and minuses of... Read More

Alien Intruders!

You probably didn't casually invite, or extend a formal attendance... Read More

Microsoft Great Plains Implementation: Verticals - Wholesale Order Entry center ? overview

Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains has substantial market share and... Read More

Linux for Home Users

Hey Guys! Don't raise your eyebrows or fear by hearing... Read More

The Truth about Colossus: Are You Just A Magnetic Image?

What is Colossus?Colossus is software licensed to about twenty-five insurance... Read More

Great Plains DOS Support ? Notes for Consultant

Great Plains Accounting, accounting package for mid-size and small companies... Read More

Preventive Maintenance Software Companies

Several software companies design programs for preventive maintenance. Most of... Read More

Microsoft Great Plains: carpet, textile, fabric, felt distributor ? implementation overview

In this small article we will show you the possible... Read More

Cisco Certification: Introduction To ISDN, Part V

The major reason I recommend getting your hands on real... Read More

Increase Office Efficiency With One Simple Tool

When you need a phone number, you do a quick... Read More

5 Easy File Management Tips in Microsoft Word

How many steps does it take you to locate and... Read More

Crystal Reports for Microsoft Great Plains

Microsoft Business Solutions ? Great Plains is designed to meet... Read More

ERP Implementation: Success Factors

As seeing large number of implementations ? in our case... Read More

Navision Customization: C/SIDE, C/ODBC, C/FRONT, XBRL ? Development Options

Microsoft bought Navision, Denmark based software development company, along with... Read More

Linux Vs. Windows

This article will not attempt to advocate the use of... Read More

Crystal Reports For Microsoft Navision - Overview For Programmer/IT Specialist

Let us give you - developer some hints in the... Read More

Microsoft Great Plains: Data Conversion & Migration Scenarios ? Overview for Consultant

Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains serves multiple industries in the... Read More

5 Mac Security Tips You Can?t Live Without

So, you've bought a new Macintosh, and now you may... Read More