Three Easy Ways to Keep Your Computer Virus-Free

How do you help prevent viruses from infecting your computer? Follow the three simple practices outlined below and you'll seal up most of the routes that viruses use to get into computers. Just one catch: You must follow them diligently. One lapse can let a virus slip into your system. 

1. NEVER click on an e-mail attachment from someone you don't know. Viruses are like unwanted houseguests: They have to be invited into your house, or computer, before they can enter and wreak havoc. Clicking on unfamiliar e-mail attachments (the paperclip or other symbol that shows on your e-mail queue) can give the virus the invitation it needs. Attachments are files that promise to be a variety of things, such as pictures or graphics, songs or other multimedia, but are actually viruses waiting to spring into action the minute you click on them. E-mails that look suspicious should be deleted without ever being opened. Be especially wary of any attachment with ".exe" in its name. These are programs designed to run, and many of them are viruses. It's a good idea, in fact, to be cautious about any odd-looking or atypical attachments, even from people you know. They may have forwarded you a virus without knowing it, or their e-mail identity may have been hijacked. Steering your mouse clear of suspicious looking e-mail and, frankly, any e-mail from someone you don't know, is one of the best and easiest ways to stay virus-free. The Bottom Line: If someone you know sends you a suspicious looking e-mail, check with the sender before opening it to make sure that he or she really did send it. 

2. ALWAYS run anti-virus software. Anti-virus software is a program that runs alongside your other applications and keeps its "eyes" out for known viruses, alerting you when one is detected and blocking the virus from infecting your computer. As soon as you register and install it, the software will completely scan your computer-including all files on your hard disk-removing any viruses that have already infected your system. Regular follow-up system scans can be scheduled automatically. Upon installation, anti-virus software also begins to continuously scan your e-mail and Instant Messaging software (yes, the bad guys have figured out how to hide viruses in IM's, too). The Bottom Line: Update your anti-virus software regularly. New viruses appear almost daily. Fortunately, reputable anti-virus software companies respond immediately to each new threat, adding the latest virus to the thousands of others their program protects you from. But that protection only works if your copy of the anti-virus program is up-to-date. The program subscription includes these updates, and the software can be set to install them automatically as they become available. Don't forget, by the way, to renew your subscription every year. 

3. IMMEDIATELY patch any vulnerabilities in your computer's software. Software programs are complicated, and, unfortunately, most software has hidden flaws and holes that may never affect its performance as far as you are concerned but are perfect for sneaking viruses through. Alas, hackers are very skilled at exploiting these vulnerabilities. Software companies such as Microsoft® are constantly updating their programs, repairing problems and patching vulnerabilities, and releasing pieces of free software, called patches, that fix the problem on your computer (and, ideally, every other machine running the software in question). The patches are made available over the Internet to registered users of the affected software. But patches only work if they're installed, and that requires a little effort on your part. In the case of an operating system like Microsoft® Windows, the patch process can be automated, with the patch downloaded and installed as soon as it's available. Older software, including older operating systems, tends not to be as frequently targeted by virus-writers, but that doesn't mean it's immune. If you're particularly fond of or dependent on an older program, keep an ear out for news of any vulnerabilities that could be used to sneak a virus onto your computer. The Bottom Line: Microsoft® and other software companies offer regularly scheduled announcements of newly discovered vulnerabilities and the patches to fix them. It's worth a visit to the Web sites of your software providers to see if they have a security page, patch schedule, or other information and tools that can keep your computer virus-free.