Anti Virus Software, installation & Use

The need | Leading Suppliers | Installation Problems | Bios 'chip-aways'

The Need for Anti-Virus Software

It is now essential that your PC is protected by an anti-virus software package. In the past viruses were mainly transferred via floppy disks but now with the widespread use of the Internet & email you need all-round protection.

An anti-virus package intercepts any input into your PC from floppy disk,dial-up connections, web pages or email. It checks these files or transmissions against a known list of virus attributes, and if a file is found to be infected, the software informs you and offers a CLEAN operation so you can remove the virus. If the clean operation fails you simply do not accept the file.

Installation Problems

17. After installing a anti-virus package, Why does Windows hang-up after starting/re-starting.

1. The problem is with vxd's, virtual device drivers, which may be conflicting with your system's Bios. On boot-up use Setup (using by pressing the Delete key) and change to Bios Defaults rather than Setup Defaults (or vice versa).

Leading Suppliers

Leading suppliers of this software are:

McAfee, Norton, Doctor Soloman, Pencillin

You can obtain time-limited versions of these packages via the Internet or with computer magazines. With many, the software will remain operational but you must buy and register the version after so many days.

Trialware from Internet

Mcafee Anti-Virus

http://download.mcafee.com/

Norton Anti-Virus

http://shop.symantec.com/cgi-bin/trialware/Core/Core.pl?SECTION=Norton+AntiVirus&subsite=na&MODE=1&KDATA=KKKK

Bios 'chip-aways'

Many motherboard manufacturers now include anti-virus software built-in in to their version of AMI, AWARD or their own Bios. Normally you can run the leading AV packages on top of these thus giving double protection.

In addition the CD Rom provided with the motherboard may also have additional anti-virus software - check the motherboard CD.

(If you have any operational difficulties then try removing this built-in Anti-virus protection, by disabling it in the BIOS setup)..