- Install reliable antivirus software
There are many free ones like Free AVG, Comodo Antivirus or avast!. AVG is one of the best in terms of usability, if you use POP email with Outlook, Thunderbird or Windows Mail then it will scan all emails and attachments. Comodo does not scan POP email, but if you do open an attachment it will scan the file and block it, if it contains/is a virus or Trojan. - Update your antivirus software
Antivirus software can only detect viruses it knows about. If the AV software has not been updated then any new virus or Trojan that has been written since the last update will not be detected and can infect your computer. - Start your AV software automatically when you turn your computer on
Configure your antivirus software to start when you boot into Windows and do not close it...EVER! That way it will always scan files and attachments when you open them - Scan files that have not come from your computer
If you are given a USB key drive or external hard drive or CD/DVD scan the whole thing before you open any file. If the USB drive is yours and you lent it to someone, scan it when you get it back. The person who you lent it to may have a virus. If you have put a USB drive into another computer scan it when you return to your computer. - Scan your email
If your AV software can scan POP email then configure it to do so. Any viruses will be removed so you won't be able to open them. If you use web based email (Hotmail, Yahoo, etc) make sure it scans your email for viruses and Trojans. - Schedule a weekly computer scan
Scan your entire computer weekly. This is easy to setup in Free AVG or Comodo. When the scan starts, don't stop it because it is slowing your computer and you can't work. Go and do something else whilst it scans, you can change the scan day/time to a time when you don't use the computer but it is on. - Don't open attachments automatically
Don't have attachments automatically opened by your email software, this will ensure they are scanned by the AV software first. - Don't download files from unknown places
Be very wary of what you download and from where! If you have been directed to a site you have never heard of to download something, back away and go somewhere else. This includes games, screensavers and freeware software. These are common places virus writers put their viruses. Another place were viruses are often put is in cracked software. Not only is it illegal to use, but you could end up with a computer that is littered with viruses and Trojans. - Keep Windows up to date
Make sure you run Window update once a month to pick up the latest update from Microsoft. This will ensure that you get fixes for Windows security problems. Very often viruses and Trojans spread by exploiting security problems with Windows, if you plug the security holes by doing regular Windows Updates, then there are fewer ways viruses can infect your computer. - Use common sense
If you receive an attachment or a link in your email, don't open it if it is from someone you have never heard of. If it has come from someone you know, still be wary...viruses spread by sending themselves to every email address it can find on the infected computer. If in any doubt email the person who sent you the attachment or link and confirm they did send it to you and it is safe to open.
If you do get infected with a virus, give us a call and we'll remove it. We don't need to be sitting in front of the computer to do this, we can do it remotely!
