“Of Mice and Megabytes Online Supplement”

ANTI-VIRUS INFORMATION
Previous || Next

It’s scary. The number of virus-infected e-mails is on the rise. I can’t overemphasize the importance of antivirus (AV) protection. I offer the following to help you understand how AV software works and why merely installing it isn’t enough.

AV software, such as Norton AntiVirus, is comprised of two main components. One is the “engine” or that part of the program working to recognize then fixing or quarantining the malignant portion of an e-mail or infected file. The other half is the “software within the software.” It’s a library of virus definitions that instructs the engine what to look for. Put together, they work to protect your computer from incoming viruses, or to rid your computer of viruses already present.

This division of tasks makes unnecessary the downloading or purchasing of a new AV program every time a new-fangled virus is running amuck. Instead, you need only update the virus definitions. And that’s the key to keeping your AV software effective.

Norton AV uses a feature called Live Update to keep its software current. It routinely checks its Web site while you’re off surfing other sites. If necessary, it downloads the latest virus updates and installs them.

As you can see, having AV software installed on your computer is not enough. Read the documentation and learn how to keep it current. Norton AntiVirus comes with a year’s worth of free updates. At the end of 12 months, the annual subscription price is nominal (I believe it’s about $20). Cheap insurance.

Some users have the “I don’t care if my computer gets trashed by a virus attitude” because they feel there’s nothing of importance on their PC. While this may be true, be aware that some viruses won’t limit damage to just their computer. Some viruses contain their own mini e-mail program and silently propagate themselves to everyone found in the e-mail address book.

In this world of Internet messaging, no person is an island.

Re-printed from the Rafu Shimpo, July 2002. Copyright©2002 Rafu Shimpo. All rights reserved.