PCRX Pittsburgh Blog Spot

5 Common mistakes when dealing with spyware and viruses

1. Not installing any antivirus or spyware protection

Some protection is better than no protection at all. Whether you purchase your software or like me use a free version of the software. One thing to remember is if you are using it for business that you should purchase your software. Using the free version is a violation of the user agreement.

2. Not updating your software and definitions

If the software you are using has an automatic update setting it is advisable to have it set. Most people do not remember to actively update their software which is almost as bad as not using any at all.

3. Not running a full system scan

After installing and updating your antivirus and spyware software make sure to run a full scan of your system. I set my software to scan automatically. I can never remember to run it manually so that keep it so I can concentrate on other things and have peace of mind that my system is being kept safe and sound.

4. Disabling the real time scanning

It can be rather annoying at time when the real time scanning slows down your computer because it is checking everything you are downloading and every file being loaded into your web browser. Avoid the temptation to disable the real time scanning option. It can be fatal to you PC if you hit a link that has a virus attached. If need be you can exclude certain applications and or file types. I never recommend disabling the .exe which is an executable/program file. Nine out of ten times these are the files that are viral.

5. Opening email attachments without scanning them for viruses.

Always save the attachment to a folder somewhere you can find it easily. I usually create a new folder on my C:\ called downloads and save them there. Most antivirus software will let you right click with the mouse and have a scan with antivirus option. This is absolutely crucial since a lot of viruses are transported and re-delivered through email attachments.

While this is not everything it is the top five mistakes that people make. Following the guidelines above will help you to protect your computer and make you feel a little safer about your computer experience.

Rich