1) Run an anti-virus program, and keep it updated regularly.

Most computers come with an anti-virus program installed. If you don't already have one, get one, and make sure it is always running in the background.

Most importantly, keep it updated on a regular basis. The anti-virus program is only as good as the updates that are installed. If the virus definitions (or updates) are a year old, the anti-virus program probably won't detect the new virus that came out yesterday. Most AV programs can be set to update automatically if you have a broadband Internet connection. We update our computers on a daily basis, as new viruses, as well as the updates to detect them, come out every day.

If you need an anti-virus program, visit www.grisoft.com
Questions about anti-virus? Give us a call or send us an e-mail

2) Run Windows Update at least once a month.

There are people out there with nothing better to do than to find new ways to mess up people's computers. Since the vast majority of computer users have Windows, that is what they target. New exploits are constantly discovered, and Microsoft constantly issues patches to protect against these exploits. A great deal of virus infections would have never occurred in the first place if the
operating system would have been up-to-date with these patches. Keeping your OS updated is simple:

Launch Internet Explorer, click Tools>Windows Update, and follow the instructions on your screen.

3) Run a spyware detection tool periodically.

As stated on our Services - Security page, spyware can infiltrate our computer without our knowledge and disguised as a "wolf in sheep's clothing." Many programs that you download and install are filled with spyware that bogs the computer down. The popular peer-to-peer filesharing software - Kazaa - is a perfect example. To keep your system free and clean, download and install Ad-Aware SE from Lavasoft. Run it once a week, and especially run it after installing downloaded software that you are not familiar with. When the scan is finished, let the program clean your machine.

4) Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, open e-mail attachments unless you are 100% sure of the source, and that they are clean.

This is, and has always been, the number one method of virus transmission. If you receive an attachment from someone you know, but are unsure of what they sent, it is better to be safe than sorry and call the sender to verify. If it's from someone you don't know, don't bother thinking twice. DELETE it.

And remember, even if it looks like it's from a legitimate company, if there's an attachment, it's not. Microsoft, your Internet service provider, and your bank, will never send you an e-mail asking you to update your personal information by sending back an attachment.

Questions about anything? Feel free to call us today!

(701) 220-4076