For the good of your computing health - read this!
why | how | free software | recent viruses | warning
Viruses are widespread and they can be a real nuisance (at best). You need some anti-virus software to protect you, and it needs to be updated frequently (daily, at least). It would be awful if you got a virus and lost (or couldn't access) your essay just as you finished it, so better be safe rather than sorry.
If you don't have anti-virus software you probably won't realise how many actually zoom around the internet. My software probably intercepts 10 or more during an average week, and when a new virus hits the 'net I have sometimes received many times that amount.
How you get viruses:
Most viruses arrive attached to e-mails. The e-mails themselves don't run the viruses, its only if you open an attachment, so if in doubt, don't open them, however attractive they might seem, or even if they are from someone you know.
Particular file types to avoid are those that have an .scr (screensaver) or .exe extension. Another recent problem has been emails that appear to be Microsoft security updates - they look authentic but Microsoft NEVER e-mail security patches to customers, so they are always dodgy!
You can also get viruses from your friends! Many viruses propagate by using your email address book, so if you get one, your friends are likely to receive one in an email from you, even if you didn't send anything yourself!
You can also get viruses from other computers, say when you share files between them, perhaps on floppy disks, however if you have a virus checker you can always scan a disk before you open the files.
Free Anti-virus software:
You can get completely free Anti-virus software from AVG - make sure you choose the "Free" rather than the "Trial" version, which you will have to pay for to keep after the trial period. I cannot say how effective this is, but it seems very popular, and if you really don't want to spend, then this is the one. Just make sure you let the software check for updates and download them whenever they are available, as new viruses appear all the time (this applies to whatever software you use).
I use PC-cillin 2000 because it was free as a download from my bank's on-line facilities (Halifax - sign on, click on-line services, click free virus software link). It would cost about £35 a year otherwise - still quite cheap and effective, and it automatically updates whenever it needs to, automatically. Unfortunately the free version supplied does not install if you have windows XP, although my version does work because I installed XP after PC-cillin. Strange but true!
I have also used Kaspersky AVP Lite, it currently costs about £14 a year and is also quite effective and easy to use - see the link on the right. (You can download a trial version, then purchase a key for the full version on-line. The trial version works fine, but won't allow updates - which are essential if it is to spot new viruses).
There are many other anti-virus packages available, the most popular seem to be Norton and McAfee. I think Cnet rate Norton as the best, and it catches more viruses than some of the cheaper ones. They both cost a little bit more than I am happy to pay (£50 plus?), but I suppose if I have a problem with what I use I may be forced to revise my views and spend a bit more.
WHATEVER YOU USE - KEEP IT UPDATED - within a few hours of a new virus being released many thousands of people will become infected, virus software providers are usually very quick to provide the updates, but if you don't have the update obviously you won't be protected.
Most anti virus software can be set up to check for updates daily, and you should use this option.
Recent viruses:
These are just a few of the more infamous viruses that have caused problems recently.
The MS Blaster Worm virus:
One of the effects of this is to reboot your computer every 60 seconds - this is very awkward because you don't have enough time to stay online to run or download the fix. The answer is to download it on another computer and run it from a floppy disk. There is a fix here:
SoBig Virus
There is a fix here
The Kak-Worm Virus
This relates to the "I love You" virus and its variants. It exploits a security loophole in Microsoft Outlook, and it will automatically be sent to everyone in your contacts / address book, even if you only display the message in your preview window.
Whilst virus software should now detect and repair this, you will need to download an update patch for Outlook to protect you from now on. The download takes a little while, but it is essential to achieve a proper fix
Click Here to go to the Microsoft site where you can get information and the patch
WARNING
Like all other parts of this site I provide information in good faith, but I cannot be held responsible for its accuracy and currency (things change very rapidly) and any actions or omissions on your part that you take as a result of this information, and any results that follow. I strongly urge you to get some good anti-virus software, learn to update it regularly, and as always, make frequent back up copies of your work.
Viruses:
Software:
