| Virus Checking
A virus is an invasive piece of
computer code, usually hidden in executable files posted online, written
deliberately to damage computers that run the program. To avoid damage to
your own computer system as well as to avoid unwittingly passing viruses
on to other users, it is important to regularly use and update virus
scanner software. Anti-virus software is available for purchase from
many vendors. We recommend that you periodically visit the company's Web
site for upgrades and virus news. Popular products for purchase include:
To protect your computer from a virus:
- Run a full system scan each time anti-virus (dat) files are
updated.
- Scan everything downloaded from the web with anti-virus software.
- Check every downloaded file before opening it.
- Save the file to disk.
- Run anti-virus software on the selected file.
- Open the file.
When running scan software you will get a window similar to the
one below. Browse to select the folder or file you want to scan and
click the Scan Now button.
Tips:
- E-mail attachments should never be opened unless one is 100%
certain as to the nature of the attachment, who sent it, and why
it was sent. Unsolicited e-mail attachments, regardless of who the
sender is, should be treated as potential virus hazards. Proceed
with caution.
- It is quite difficult for e-mail messages themselves to
contain or be a virus, however attachments to messages may indeed
contain viruses. Therefore, before opening any file you should
first save it to disk and then run the virus detection program.
- Refrain, if possible, from downloading files from questionable
Internet sites (for example, sites run by companies or individuals
whose true identities are uncertain).
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