Virus FAQ

How to keep your system safe

By: Marnie Webb

Why do most viruses seem to affect Windows users?

Most personal computers rely on the Windows operating system. Therefore, writing a virus to attack that operating system is more likely to create havoc then one written to attack Linux or Apple operating systems.

I keep reading about the viruses that affect Microsoft Outlook, Word, or Excel. Should I change programs?

Again, most creators write viruses written to exploit these programs because the programs are popular, not because they are better or worse than other available software. Rather then changing software applications, your best bet for protection is to be sure that you are alert to updates for your software. Almost all software manufacturers have lists of updates, fixes, and security patches available for download from their Web sites.

I just received an email warning me of a virus. What should I do?

Email virus hoaxes can be almost as virulent as actual viruses. A particularly persuasive hoax will have people propagating the email rapidly, increasing traffic on mail servers, and, in some cases, requiring companies to shut down their mail servers to avoid a crash.

Before you hit that "Forward" button, check out Symantec's Hoaxes web page  to get the full scoop.

I suspect I have a virus. What do I do?

If you suspect you have a virus, the first thing you should do is run a virus scan using your virus software. If you have no viruses, follow the directions to update your virus definition files and run a second scan. Still no viruses? You're probably in the clear. Go ahead and back up important files and reboot. If there were no problems, chances are you're safe.

It's tempting - if you think you have a virus - to immediately backup all of your files onto a server, disc or other media for safe keeping. The problem? If you don't know what virus you have, you may be backing up and transferring it as well. Viruses are one of the many reasons you should have a comprehensive data backup plan to minimize data loss in the event something very, very bad happens to your computer.

I have a virus. Is it all over for my poor little computer?

Nope. Open your virus software book and follow the instructions for a clean boot. This will get you on the road to recovery. If you are unable to follow or complete the instructions, call your IT contractor to help you. If you do not have an IT contractor, check out our list of technical assistance providers on our TechFinder to find one near you.

Most viruses are annoying and time consuming, and they may cause some data loss, but they won't necessarily destroy your system.

How do I avoid data loss in the event that a very, very, very bad virus hits my organization's computers?

The same way you avoid data loss in general. Backup, backup, backup. Protect yourself by regularly backing up all your systems. That way, if you do lose data, you won't lose it all.

How can I keep informed about viruses? Are there good e-newsletters?

The best way to keep on top of virus threats is to be vigilant about updating your software with bug fixes and security patches and regularly updating your virus definition files. If you want even more virus news, however, subscribe to ZDNet 's Help and How-to Alert. This covers more than just viruses and is a good resource for common security issues.

I'm on a network system with broadband, always on Internet access. Do I have to worry more about viruses?

Nope. You have to worry more about hackers. Viruses are malicious programs that cause varying degrees of damage to a computer and are generally spread by the users or by the programs themselves. If you have an always-on Internet connection, you have to worry about protecting your system from intrusions. To find out more, read Firewalls and You on TechSoup.

Will this virus protection stuff mess with any of my existing software?

Software conflicts - two different products that will not peacefully coexist on your machine - are a part of the computing age, and there is no way to determine if a potential conflict can be avoided before installing software. However, there are some known problems:

• Installing another virus protection program:Two antivirus programs are not better than one. In fact, two may be worse and may not work at all. You'll have to remove any other virus protection programs before installing your new software.
• Problems with older systems: On older systems you may wish to disable all autoprotect features, especially those that run anytime the computer is rebooted or scan all email attachments. Be sure the program will work on your system before enabling those features. Remember, though, if you've turned off the autoprotect features, you must be vigilant about running regular scans and checking email attachments.
• System slowdowns:Virus protection software can sometimes slow your system to a crawl. This is particularly true for older machines that may have limited memory or other resources that can cause them to spend a good chunk of time scanning files. The solution? Turn off the autoprotect features and scan manually.

Where do I get information on more specific issues?

Give Symantec Tech Support a try. Their knowledge base contains lots of helpful answers.

Why is the sky blue?

"A clear cloudless day-time sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light. When we look towards the sun at sunset we see red and orange colours because the blue light has been scattered out and away from the line of sight." Find out more from "Why is the Sky Blue?"

Article date: March 22, 2001

Write for TechSoup
Have an article idea? Find out how to contribute to TechSoup.

• Local Editions: 
  • SF Bay Area | 
  • Los Angeles | 
  • New York