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Virus ProtectionAntiVirus Protection and ProgramsPreventing the spread of viruses is fairly simple. When you're surfing the Internet, download programs only from reputable shareware sites. Beware of email attachments as they may be carrying a virus "payload" - refer to Email Attachments for more information. Email text messages do not carry viruses. However, each and every attachment to an email message should always be scanned by virus detection software before execution or opening of the attachment. Remember that you can get a virus only from running an infected program and not from just having the program on your computer. If you download a file that you're not sure about, whether it is a program or file such as an MS Word document, you can use anti-virus software to check the program or file before you use it. The two most common anti-virus programs used today are McAfee and Norton. These are regarded as being at the top of the list with regard to protecting your computer and email from viruses.
Important note: For your anti-virus software to be effective, you need to update it regularly. As new viruses appear, each of these companies updates its virus library (dat file) and software and you have to install the update on your computer to be protected against the new viruses. In short, the list of viruses is always expanding, so be sure to keep your anti-virus software current. You can find a list of real viruses on the following sites:
Note: If you use Norton AntiVirus, please see this page for information if you are having problems receiving or sending email.
Virus HoaxesYou may, on occassion, receive an email from someone alerting you about a virus. Before concluding that the message you received is about a real virus, you can do some detective work to determine the validity of the message.
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