If you run a Windows operating system it is necessary for you to
install an antivirus program and keep the virus definitions for it
updated!
Even people running a MAC OS should install and maintain an antivirus program. If a MAC machine receives an infected email it may not directly affect the MAC. However, if the email is sent to an unprotected PC running Windows it will infect that machine.
When a virus tries to enter your PC, often through an infected e-mail, the antivirus program checks it against the list of all known viruses. If your virus definitions are up to date, the antivirus program identifies the virus and quickly deletes or quarantines it.
If your virus definition list is out of date, the antivirus program may know about the newest viruses and if one of them tries to enter your PC the antivirus program lets it pass into your PC!
If you do not have an antivirus program, install one now. Run a virus scan that will identify and rid your PC of any viruses, worms, and Trojan Horses! If you put it off, it is just a matter of time before one of these nasty programs gets into your PC and causes havoc!
There are free antivirus programs available on the internet. In general, I stick with the paid antivirus programs due to the effort required to do the research and development required to stay ahead of all the new viruses, worms, Trojan horses.
I have used both Symantec's Norton Antivirus and McAfee's VirusScan programs and they both work well.
Symantec has been in business since 1982 and their Norton Antivirus program is very popular and powerful. When it is first installed it scans your entire PC and eliminates all the malware it finds. After this the Liveupdate feature automatically keeps your PC protected against the latest threats!
Important: Norton Antivirus 2006 has been designed for Windows 2000 and XP only. If you are running 98 or ME you should install Norton Antivirus 2005.Both are available at the link below:
After McAfee's VirusScan is installed it checks and deletes all
known viruses, worms, spyware and Trojan Horses from your PC. After that it's
Silent Updating feature downloads virus definition updates to your PC on a
continuing basis to insure that your PC is always protected from the growing
list of known threats.