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Top 5 Things to Do to Prevent or Minimize Virus or Worm Infection of Your PCs & Network

1. Use Current Software Versions and Update Your Software Now

Are you running the most current version of Microsoft software? Look here for information on product lifecycles.

• See Products Near the End of Mainstream Support - With Mainstream Support, Microsoft provides free software updates for security as well as non-security issues.
• See Products Near the End of Extended Support - With Extended Support, Microsoft provides free software updates for security issues only.
• See Products No Longer Supported by Microsoft - Microsoft provides no software updates on unsupported products.
• See a List of Supported Service Packs - Microsoft provides free software updates for security and non-security issues for all supported service packs.

Is your Microsoft software up to date? Get updates here:

• Scan your computer for any needed critical Windows updates
• Scan your computer for any needed Office updates
• Find updates to other Microsoft products in the Download Center
2. Don't open any attachments you receive in email, even if they appear to be from a trusted source, unless you are expecting them.

How to Tell If a Microsoft Security-Related Message Is Genuine

3. Use Antivirus Software

Numerous antivirus vendors exist. We can help you select the one that will work best for your situation. Also, please be aware that it doesn't help you to have antivirus software installed if it is not kept up to date. Most antivirus vendors have a subscription program to update their antivirus software and the virus definitions used by the software. Subscribe!

• Symantec
• Trend Micro
• Network Associates
• Grisoft
4. Check Your Security Settings

Configuring security settings is not usually high on a typical user's to-do list. However, ensuring that these settings are properly configured is critical to protecting yourself, your data and your PC. The best option is not always to select the most severe security setting, either, because it might hamper usability unnecessarily. Depending on the operating system, browser and email software that you use, the specific settings that need to be configured vary greatly. We can assist you in determining how your software should be configured so that you are properly protected without overly impacting your online experience.

5. Use a Firewall

Just as a building's or automobile's firewall can retard a dangerous fire from spreading, a computer firewall can retard dangerous online activities from spreading to your PC or network. Computer firewalls can be separate physical devices that are placed on your network between your computer(s) and your Internet connection. They can also be software that is installed on each PC. There are trade-offs when selecting which type of firewall (either hardware- or software-based) will work best for you. Once that decision has been made, there are still many options to choose from as shown below.

Hardware Firewall Vendors	Software Firewall Vendors
Cisco Systems	Microsoft (Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 ONLY)
Linksys	Zone Labs
D-Link	Tiny Software
SMC Networks	Sygate