Help! I Can't Handle One More Virus!

by Maria Marsala

Summary: You do not have to loose years of files, pay someone to fix your computer, or not have access to your computer. Instead, read this article.

"There are 500 new virus/worms created each month," according to the McAfee.com web site.

Whenever I learn about another virus or worm that has developed into "medium or high" status, I shake my head in disgust. Have you ever wondered what would happen if those virus programmers turned their energies around and instead developed a positive program for us to use? Can you imagine how terrific that program would be?!?!

I'm going to come clean and admit the truth: I, too, have had a virus wreak havoc on my computer -- ONCE in 12 years of Internet use. And once was enough for me. The virus that hit my 'puter was a beautiful attachment that seemed to be from a friend. Some of you computer veterans may know it well. It was sent around on July 4th (Independence Day in the USA) and looked like a beautiful fireworks display -- before it destroyed some of my Word documents and other programs!

Even though every antivirus web site tells you not to open attachments from people you do not know, it's usually the people you know and love who somehow infect your computer. So, I won't tell you not to open attachments. That's a crazy suggestion, anyway.

If you haven't heeded the latest slew of warnings, then you've probably been hit with a virus or worm. It's likely you've also lost use of your computer for at least a few hours, if not for a few days. In some cases, you've lost important computer files or programs too. Take steps today so your computer will stay virus-free. Take the time now, right now, this moment, to protect your computer.

1. Subscribe to an ezine list, such as the ones listed below, where the owner provides readers with an added value -- in the form of emails that alert subscribers to important Internet virus warnings.

Elevating Your Business Ezine: http://www.CoachMaria.com
Web Chamber http://www.WebChamber.com

2. Most new computers come with a 30- or 90-day trial of an installed antivirus program. But the program's data files (for dat files) are out of date by the time you receive your computer. If you've purchased a new computer recently, locate its antivirus program, get on the Internet and download the latest dat or zip files (large group of files compressed so they download quickly). Ensure that your computer's files are up-to-date. Also, start looking around for an antivirus program you're willing to purchase and keep updated yearly.

3. If you don't have an antivirus program, test drive one of the many programs available on the different virus-protection web sites. Most offer a 30-day trial and you can see if it's a program that's easy for you to use. I recommend purchasing a program that offers an automatic scheduler feature, and set the system to update files a week.

4. The oldest antivirus programs are those by McAfee and Norton. When you purchase a PC or laptop, these are the trials you're likely to find on your computer. However, many other programs are available.

Softwin SRL http://bitdefender.com
Trend Micro http://www.trendmicro.com
Kaspersky Lab http://www.kaspersky.com
Symantec Norton http://symantec.com
Alwil Avast! http://avast.com
McAfee ViruScan http://us.mcafee.com
MS OneCare http://windowsonecare.com
Panda Software http://pandasoftware.com
Computer Associates http://www.etruststore.com/

5. Costco, Sam's Club, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, etc., carry antivirus programs, and they all have online stores too. Or try an online comparison store like mysimon.com, pricegrabber.com, or amazon.com

6. Add "yearly update of my antivirus program" to your business or personal budget. And if you use the Outlook calendar, include a reminder to purchase the program a year from now.

7. Put aside 30 minutes to read the directions of your new antivirus program so that you know everything it can do. If you're updating a previous version, the "read me" text file usually contains information on what's been updated or added since the last version.

8. Know that if you have email programs other than Microsoft, you can still end up with a virus. Viruses have been targeted at Adobe PDF, ICQ, and other Microsoft files!

And if you have a Mac, don't think you'll be spared! Many Mac users are carriers of viruses. I've received MS Word documents from a Mac and my antivirus program found a virus. While Mac users can't get the virus, their computers can carry it and send it along to other computers.

Also, with many Macs having the capacity to use Internet Explorer, we're bound to hear about other Mac-related viruses.

9. On their web site, Microsoft provides updates for their programs on their website. Security updates may include fixes for a virus and are called critical files. Visit the sites below once a month to update all critical files.

MS Main Program Updates http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
MS Office Updates http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx

10. When you use them properly, antivirus programs work! However, remember that they are reactive, not proactive. Even if you set your preferences to allow your antivirus program to automatically update, whenever you hear about a new virus, update your dat files immediately.

So which antivirus program am I using? OneCare by Microsoft. The purchase of one program allows me to use it on three computers. It updates often, and it contains other programs that help me keep my PC and laptop in tiptop shape.

©2007 Maria Marsala, former Wall Street Fortune 200 executive, business strategist, author and speaker. As founder of Elevating Your Business, Maria helps business owners and independent service professionals work smarter and earn more. Learn more and receive free business tools at ElevatingYourBusiness.com

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