Keep Virus Protection Software Up-to-date

New viruses are written everyday. It seems that there are many people in the world who have a lot of time on their hands and a slightly warped idea of how to use their intelligence. Luckily, companies like McAfee, Symantec, and Panda Software are constantly scouting for new viruses and updating their antivirus software tools. They use any of a growing arsenal of weapons to detect and fight viruses.

In order to take advantage of these new antivirus shields, you must update your antivirus program on a regular basis. The company that manufactured your antivirus software will provide constant updates as they find new viruses. You should make arrangements to get these updates regularly to be sure that your computer is completely protected. Go to the Web site of your antivirus manufacturer to download new virus updates, or definitions as they are often called. Some newer antivirus programs automatically update your antivirus protection as well as the antivirus definitions when you log onto the Internet through a process called live update or online virus scan.

When you purchase a virus protection program, be sure to check out the company's update program. Some manufacturers give you free updates; others do not. If you already own a virus protection program but have never updated it, see the documentation that came with your program or contact the company that created your program to check on their update policy. If your program did not come with free updates or if you have already used up your free updates, you can purchase additional updates, usually for a nominal fee.

To keep you protected as much as possible, we recommend purchasing antivirus software that updates automatically. If you update your virus protection manually, a weekly update is mandatory; a daily update may be a good idea in today's virus-infested atmosphere.
 

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