Computer Department

It doesn't seem all that long ago when a group of ladies entered my classroom looking quite scared and afraid of the computers. The problem? The previous day they had read a scaremonger Sunday newspaper article which introduced an unsuspecting world to the (pause for drum-roll) - Computer Virus!!! Computer-tutor or medical counselor - I wasn't really sure that day.

Fortunately, the press have found much better things to give us sleepless nights over since those early days of computing when most viruses were, it was alleged, being spread by the games industry who had started loosing thousands of pounds to the software pirates. Whether this was true or not, I guess we'll never know; but the first 'biggy' in computer virus terms was spread with a 'free' program on one of the computer magazines and every used to live in fear of turning on their office computer on significant dates such as Friday 13th. (Wasn't there a game by that name?)

Today, computer viruses are everywhere but, thanks to companies like McAfee, Symantic, Kapersky and the like; the threat for most home users is minimal - just so long as you follow the rules:

• Make sure that you install the best protection you can afford on your home computer. There are many free anti-virus programs available on the Internet - but nothing will be the fully licensed, paid for, package.
• Perform a full system scan at least once a week. Let it run overnight, while you are not using your computer (but don't leave your screen on as you'd just be wasting energy).
• Make sure that you update your virus protection every time you go on-line, if you are a broadband user, or at least once a week if you use a dial-up connection.
• Renew your licence every year. The older your anti-virus software, the weaker your protection will become. Once your licence has expired, your computer will no longer be safe from new threats.

I would personally recommendation is that you invest in a good Internet Security Suite and I have listed the top ten packages elsewhere on this site. The ranking I have given to each package is based an aggregate of the rankings of some of the best trade reviews (2007). The advantage of choosing a suite is that you have an all-in-one solution which includes all of the most important tools in just one box. My personal choice for beginners is Trend Micro's PC-cillin as it is easy to set up and it looks after itself once it has been installed.

If you make regular backups of all important data, install a good security suite and make sure you keep it up to date your data should remain safe. If the worst does happen however, get in touch with the suppliers of your software (e.g. Trend Micro or Symantic) and, providing you have registered your software, you will be able to benefit from a huge raft of experience in putting things right - and I know; I've been there!