Protecting your computer from virus threats

A computer virus is a malicious program that infects computers much in the same way viruses are transmitted from person to person. Computers that share connections, files, or computers that have Internet access, are extremely vulnerable. It is important that you have some sort of protection from viruses on your computer and keep your operating system up-to-date with the latest security fixes and patches. As a rule of thumb it is important to be aware of suspicious email you receive from anyone, especially email that is from someone you do not know, as email is one of the primary means a computer virus spreads. If your computer becomes infected, it could cause a wide range of problems. In addition, the virus will attempt to spread from your computer to others on the Internet. The bottom line is to not open email attachments from someone you do not know.

To check on critical updates for your operating system, Microsoft Windows users can click here. For Apple and MacOS users, please visit here.

There are many anti-virus programs on the market. Some are much more user-friendly than others. Some of the more popular ones you may consider to purchase are Trend Micro and Symantec.

If you do not own an anti-virus program, you can scan your computer online for free here. Please be aware that this does not provide real-time protection, and without installing a personal anti-virus program on your computer you are still at high risk.

If you feel your computer may be infected with a virus, please feel free to contact us and we can help you.