Figure 3-50

You might want to take a few

minutes to check these settings

for your computer’s antivirus

software.

• Start scanning when the computer boots.

• Scan all programs when they are launched and document files when they are opened.

• Scan other types of files, such as graphics, if you engage in some risky computing behaviors and

are not concerned with the extra time required to open files as they are scanned.

• Scan incoming mail and attachments.

• Scan incoming instant message attachments.

• Scan outgoing e-mail for worm activity such as mass-mailing worms.

• Scan zip (compressed) files.

• Scan for spyware, sometimes called pups (potentially unwanted programs).

• Scan all files on the computer’s hard disk at least once a week.

How often should I do a system scan? Most experts recommend

that you configure your antivirus software to periodically scan all the files on

your computer. With the proliferation of malware attacks, it’s best to schedule

a weekly system scan. Because a full system scan can significantly

slow down your computer, schedule the scan for a time when you are not

usually using your computer, but it is turned on.

You can also run a manual scan of your entire computer or

of specific files. For example, suppose you download a program

and you want to make sure it is virus free before you

install and run it. You can use Windows Explorer to locate

and right-click the downloaded file, then select the Scan

option from the pop-up menu (Figure 3-51).

What does quarantine mean? If, during the scanning

process, your virus protection software identifies a virus,

worm, Trojan horse, or bot in a file or attachment, it can

try to remove the infection, put the file into quarantine, or

simply delete the file. A quarantined file typically contains

suspicious code, such as a virus signature. For your protection,

most antivirus software encrypts the file’s contents and

isolates it in a quarantine folder, so it can’t be inadvertently

opened or accessed by a hacker. If the infected file ends up

on a quarantine list, your antivirus software might give you

the option of trying to disinfect the file or deleting it.

How dependable is antivirus software? Today’s

antivirus software is quite dependable, but not infallible.

A fast-spreading worm can reach your computer before

a virus definition update arrives, some spyware can slip

through the net, and cloaking software can hide some viral exploits. Despite

occasional misses, however, antivirus software and other security software

modules are constantly weeding out malware that would otherwise infect

your computer. It is essential to use security software, but also important to

take additional precautions, such as making regular backups of your data.