VIRUS ALERTS
Individual virus alerts are well-meaning, but useless. That's
because it's easier and safer to implement ways to stop all viruses
than to waste time
trying to protect yourself against just one or two.
Macintosh and other non-Windows users are generally safe. There are too few
of them for virus creators to bother with. For everyone else, here's some basic
steps to keep your
computer
virus-free:
- Install an anti-virus
program.
- See if your ISP (Internet Service Provider)
gives you web-based access to your email. Check your mail online
and delete spams. While you're there, look for attachments.
Make sure that they're from someone you trust and that they include an explanation
of what the attachment is. Then download your email.
- Install a firewall.
A firewall is a piece of software or hardware that watches the traffic into
and out of your computer and stops viruses, hackers and spyware at the door.
Hackers can't get in, and viruses and spyware can't send data or replications
of themselves out.
- Install anti-spyware
software. As you surf the
Web, and particularly when you download free software, you unknowingly collect
spyware, adware, scumware and other undesirable applications that work quietly
in
the background.
These
do things
like collect
information about your Web use or change what you see in your browser. They
can also affect your computer's performance, making you think you have a virus.
- Consider using an email
program other than Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express.
Because these two are what most people use, viruses are created specifically
to take advantage of their weaknesses.
Next
Chapter:
Time Killers
