Nowadays as the Internet and other networks are greatly
developed computer viruses are distributed rapidly and
intensively. Everyday several new viruses capable to damage
considerably your computer system arise. Anti-virus specialists
work hardly to make updates their software against new viruses
as soon as possible. The viruses can get inside computer in
different ways. That is why there is no simple method to protect
system. Only series of measures can give you reliable protection
from the infection. Below are 9 steps to protect MS Windows
based PC system from viruses.
1. Make regular backups. It should be said that there is no
absolutely safe way of protection. Virus creators regularly find
holes in new computer products to use them for infection of
computer systems. Some dangerous viruses can considerably damage
data files or even erase entire file system. Make regular
backups of your data files to separate file storage device. It
can be separate hard drive, flash card, compact disc or another
file storage device which you choose. To ease the procedure you
can use some automatic backup software. And be ready if the
system will die because of virus infection.
2. Be ready to reinstall your system if it dies because of
viruses. Get distributives of your operation system and
distributives of software which you use and keep them together,
for instance, on a set of CDs not far away from you. In this
case if virus infection will cause unrecoverable system failure
you can rapidly reinstall your working medium.
3. Protect your network connection with Firewall. Firewall is a
software which blocks suspicious potentially dangerous
connections to preventing viruses from network to penetrate into
your system. Windows XP system has quit simple but reliable
built-in firewall. You can enable it as follows. 1) in Control
Panel, double-click Networking and Internet Connections, and
then click Network Connections. 2) Right-click the connection on
which you would like to enable firewall, and then click
Properties. 3) On the Advanced tab, check the option to Protect
my computer and network.
If you need more flexible control of connections with network
you can get and install more advanced firewall software like
Norton Personal Firewall or Outpost Firewall. If you use this
software you have ability to permit or to block particular
connections and to monitor network activity.
4. Use antivirus software. Install antivirus software which will
scan your system searching and erasing viruses on a regular
basis. Leaders in antivirus software products for Windows
systems are Norton Antivirus, McAfee, Kaspersky Anti-Virus and
PC-cilin.
5. Regularly update operating system. Windows XP has built-in
automatic update service. It regularly contacts Microsoft server
to find updates and notifies you if updates are ready to be
installed. Updates are important because hackers regularly find
holes in operating system which are often used by virus creators.
6. Don\’t install and don\’t run suspicious software. Check new
programs which you are going to install with anti-virus
software. Don\’t download software from suspicious websites. To
download software always seek website of software creator or
official distributor. Do not open applications received by email
from unknown persons.
7. Limit access to your computer. Protect enter to system with
password.
8. If you use Internet Explorer, consider moving to another
browser. As IE is the most distributed browser today virus
creators actively use defects in its security system to infect
computers. Infection may arise if you will visit webpage which
contains invisible harmful code. You are more safe if you use
less known browser only because virus creators do not pay much
attention to it. Major IE competitors Firefox and Opera browsers
provide now the same comfortable interface and range of services
for working on the Web.
9. Use spam protection. Viruses are often distributed via email.
Switch on spam filters in your email box to block spam
receiving. If you need assistance with using of the filters you
can ask your email service provider.
About the author:
Evgeny Kovalenko is the Editor of FSSD
computer software directory with free submission service for
software developers and distributors.