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You can count on hackers and auto bots to keep scouring the Internet, looking for unsuspecting victims. If your computer is not equipped with anti-virus software or a firewall, you are just begging to be victimized. You would never hand your wallet over to a stranger; your credit cards, social security card and drivers license information are too sensitive and personal to give out to just anyone; you should keep this in mind when you are considering Internet safety. Being online without protection is one of the worst, and most preventable, mistakes that you can make.
You do not have to be a technically inclined person or a computer geek to understand the basic principles of anti-virus software. Viruses can be found in emails and downloads. You can also expect to find viruses in many shareware programs. Because of the widespread usage of viruses as a harvesting method, it is important to have an anti-virus software program installed on your computer. Some people may even have a virus on their system and not even know it. These unsuspecting people may send out an email attachment to a friend and unknowingly pass the virus on to them. Some viruses can even harvest email addresses from your contact list and send out an automatic email containing a harmful virus. It can be a dangerous, frustrating and seemingly endless cycle.
Anti-virus software can be your first line of protection against harmful Internet viruses. Most newer model computers will contain some type of anti-virus software program. If your computer is not equipped with such a program, you may want to consider contacting your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to find out what kind of security packages they offer. In most cases, the Internet Service Provider will have a bundle package that include anti-virus software and firewall protection. Many email companies are also jumping on the anti-virus bandwagon. Most of the tops companies can be expected to offer a scan for each and every attachment that is sent to you. You should not, however, rely completely on these generic anti-virus scanners. They are a good starting point but you should additionally purchase a good and up-to-date anti-virus software program.
You can buy anti-virus software online, in stores and if you are a good Internet researcher, you can find free anti-virus program online. It is always a good idea to research your choice before downloading or purchasing. You can find consumer reviews in a variety of locations online. Check to see what other users had to say about the ease of use and what kind of protection the particular program offers. The Internet contains a huge amount of information on computer safety and anti-virus software is one of the most basic principles of keeping yourself safe from viruses and hackers. It is always a good idea to educate yourself and know what you are dealing with. Knowing what viruses are popular and those that are particularly more dangerous is your best line of defense. Consider it “knowing your enemy”, so-to-speak.
If you are unsure or concerned that your anti-virus software may not be working as well as you think it should be, you can find ways to test your program. You can find several websites that will show you, step-by-step how to create a test virus to see if your program catches it. These are safe and not actually viruses so there is no need to be concerned about you unknowingly infecting your system. This tool simply serves as a good quality assurance test to make sure your program is performing up to par. If your anti-virus software does not catch this test virus, you may want to consider researching other possibilities. It is your computer and personal information at stake; you certainly do not want to take any risks. More Articles
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