Avoiding Viruses Like the Plague

Protecting your computer can be easy if you follow a three simple steps.

The most important thing you can do to protect your computer
is to make sure you know the reputation of the software production company
before you install any software on your PC.
Here are some other dos and don’ts to help you get started.

1. Know your computer.

DO

• Keep hard copies of important software, especially the system restore and productivity software that come with your computer and your device drivers.
• Be sure to keep track of the product key, which might be required if you have to reinstall the software.
• Make a list of the programs you have installed.
• Check the Add/Delete programs list frequently to make sure you recognize everything there.
• Remove software you don’t recognize or don’t use.
• Watch for unusual behavior such as slow processing, excessive popups, and frequent crashes or freezes.
• Maintain your PC by using the system tools that came with Windows.
• Back up your data.
• Clean your hard drive.
• Defragment your hard drive.
• Create frequent system restore points.
• Empty your temporary internet folder regularly.

DON’T

• Allow malware to remain on your PC any longer than necessary. It will probably install more harmful software.

2. Be aware of threats.

DO

• Read the End-User License Agreement (EULA) before clicking “I agree” to install new software.
• Use Google and other search engines to check a company’s reputation.
• Visit trusted and knowledgeable sources like bleepingcomputer.com and cnet.com to get information on common computer solutions.

DON’T

• Recklessly download files from the Internet even if they seem fun and useful.
• Click on questionable screens, not even to close them. Instead right-click on the Windows Taskbar or use Windows Task Manager (ctrl+alt+delete).
• Download these common types of adware unless you trust the source: auto-completers (wallets), games, calendar/clock functions, news/sports tickers, search bars, screensavers, toolbars.

3. Protect yourself.

DO

• Use more than one approach.
• Try combining the following elements: virus protection software, spyware protection software, registry scanners, and pop-up blockers.
• Update your protection software frequently.
• We strongly recommend creating automatic updates.
• Consider changing your browser settings not to allow downloads.
• You can always remove the restriction when you want to download something.
• Add dangerous websites to your “restricted sites” in the security menu of your Internet browser.

DON’T

• Use software from a company with a questionable reputation.

Definitions

Adware

spyware that often comes bundled with freeware or shareware and generates popups and other advertisements even when you aren’t using the software that it originally came with

Driver

software that allows hardware to work with your operating system (ex. the cd that came with your printer)

Firmware

semi-permanent instructions that come with a piece of hardware (ex. it came already installed on your digital camera)

Freeware

shareware you aren’t expected to pay for

Hardware

a physical device (ex. speakers)

Malware

(short for malicious software) designed for the specific purpose of harming your computer or performing functions you don’t want

Operating System

installed before any other software, this program manages all of the other programs and controls how they work together (ex. Windows)

Shareware

inexpensive software designed by private individuals

Software

a set of instructions that perform a complete and specific function, a computer program

Spyware

collects information about your computer and your user habits and sends it to another computer

Toolbar

a set of buttons that perform a function without your having to use the program’s menus

Trojan

harmful software that comes hidden or bundled with seemingly useful software

Virus

software that copies itself and spreads to other computers through file sharing and usually hides inside another program

Widget

(short for windows gadget) usually located on your desktop, and performs a useful function like providing weather updates or sports tickers

Worm

software that copies itself and spreads through network connections and the Internet but doesn’t usually hide inside another program