7. One simple way to avoid infections Obtain software from reputable sources. Downloading a service pack for Windows NT from Microsoft's web site is a very different proposition than downloading a freeware disk utility from a company you've never heard of, on a site in a province of former Soviet Union. You use common sense – for instance, beware of Automatic Downloads – take care when using programs that download and run update patches and programs automatically. While in most cases these will not be a problem, having downloaded software run automatically without virus checking exposes you to potential problems in my opinion. Regardless of where you get your software even shrink-wrapped CDs from a reputable supplier, ALWAYS scan it for viruses BEFORE you execute program or installer.

8. A second simple way to avoid infections Control your network connections and access to your computer. You could limit access just to those who have a need - fully 80% of damage caused to information systems is caused by action taken (either accidental or deliberate) by an employee or friend, and not from outside sources.

9. Be safe rather than sorry Make sure you have backups for all your files. Backups are essential not only to safely recover from virus infections, but also to recover from other threats to your data (such as a hard disk failure or a major coffee spilling accident).

10. Use quality virus protection software Last, but certainly not least, use good quality market leading commercial virus protection software packages. The primary benefit of using top commercial software is frequency and ease of updating virus definition files that these programs use to detect viruses. With new viruses popping up all time, unless your protection software is kept updated (daily and automatically), you become ever more vulnerable to infection.

To learn more about effective, easy to afford and use PC protection tools, visit http://www.antivirus-report.com

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5. Don't download programs from Web. Unreliable sources such as Internet newsgroups or Web sites that you haven't heard of may be willing providers of viruses for your computer. Avoid downloading files you can't be sure are safe. This includes freeware, screensavers, games, and any other executable program. Executable files are those that end with a .com, .exe, .ovl, .drv, .sys, .bin extension – like something called "coolgame.exe." for example. Check to see if site you are downloading from has anti-virus software running on their side. If in end you do have to download from Internet, be sure to scan each program before running it. Save all downloads to one folder, then run virus checks on everything in folder before using it. Regardless of where you download from, ALWAYS scan downloaded software.

6. Clean any virus, worm or trojan off your computer Using your antivirus software, perform a full system scan of your PC, hopefully it will detect and remove virus. If a virus was detected, restart your computer and run full scan again. Sometime virus will keep reappearing, due to evolving nature of viruses. If your machine got infected BEFORE you installed antivirus software, you may need a virus removal tool, which is simple software that will scan your computer for infections, and then remove them from your machine.

7. Install a Firewall If you use broadband or a high-speed method to access internet, you need to get a firewall. A firewall is a program that defends your computer from hackers who attempt to gain direct access to your computer over Internet.

8. Install and use a high-quality anti-virus program. This is key to protecting your computer. Buy one of major anti-virus programs. The primary benefit of commercial packages is frequency and ease of updating virus definition files that these programs use to detect viruses. With new viruses popping up all time, unless your protection software is kept updated, you start to become ever more vulnerable to infection.

To learn more about effective, easy to afford and use PC protection tools, visit http://www.antivirus-report.com

+++++++ Note:

If you manage a website with similar content to http://www.antivirus-report.com, we are interested in exchanging links with you. Please visit http://www.antivirus-report.com/link-to-us.html for more details.

+++++++

******** Note II:

We have a 100% brandable version of antivirus report available to anyone who wants to add an effective broad appeal revenue source to their portfolio. It is available at no expense ( F.R.E.E. ) here: http://www.antivirus-report.com/aa-brand.html

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