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Frequently Asked Questions
11/09/99 What should I do to protect my computer from viral attacks?
11/09/99 Where do I go for virus information?
11/09/99 How do I thoroughly get rid of programs I don't use anymore?
What should I do to protect my computer from viral attacks?
In recent months, we've seen the Melissa virus, Chernobyl, Pretty Park and most recently, the Worm.Explore.Zip virus. This last virus is one of the most damaging ever, using your email system to infiltrate your computer.
The best way to protect yourself is to use antivirus software. Popular antivirus programs include Norton, McAfee and VET, and AVP. To some extent which one you use isn't the important thing, it's how often you update it. Most antivirus programs come with a 'live update' feature so you can update your software over the Internet - what's actually updated is the file of virus 'signatures' which the program will search for and recognise as being viruses. You should update on a regular basis - weekly is a good idea, and certainly whenever a new virus makes the news. At the height of the Melissa virus, some people were even updating daily. Variants to the Worm.Explore.Zip virus are likely to emerge in the coming weeks, so make sure you protect yourself, and update your software.
The importance of backups can't be understated here either. Even with the most up-to-date antivirus program, a new virus can still get through to your system. Your last line of defence is your backup files. Don't be one of the people who swear they'll backup... only after they've lost everything.
Where do I go for virus information?
An obstacle to finding complete information on viruses is that a virus can have more than one name. For instance, 'Weed.5850.D' is also known as 'HLL.5664' and 'RustyBug5330.A'. These names are determined by various antivirus vendors, who don't always coordinate their efforts.
The first place to look for information on a given virus is your own antivirus program. For instance, in Norton AntiVirus 5.0, you can click the 'Virus List' icon for a list of known viruses. Just double-click the one you're curious about for more details. In McAfee VirusScan 4.0, launch the VirusScan Central program, click 'Tools', then 'Virus Info'. Click 'Find Virus', enter a name, and click 'Enter'. Double-click the name for details. Be vigilant about keeping your antivirus program current, to ensure that it has the latest information and updated antivirus abilities.
In addition, several virus encyclopedias on the Internet will provide you with more information than will your antivirus program. Because of name variations and some less-than-complete definitions, it's advisable to check more than one such encyclopedia. Among the best are Symantec's AntiVirus Research Center, The AVP Virus Encyclopedia, Dr. Solomon's Virus Encyclopedia, The Trend Micro Virus Encyclopedia, and McAfee Virus Information Center.
How do I thoroughly get rid of programs I don't use anymore?
See Tips - 11/09/99 Clean Out The Debris Left By Deleted Applications
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