Protect your network from viruses and malicious software
Published: August 15, 2006
Malicious software, known as malware, affects many computers that are connected to the Internet. Malware can get onto your computer without your knowledge and cause it to become unreliable and slow. Malware often makes itself known by opening unwanted windows and displaying advertisements, but it also runs invisibly in the background. Malware might monitor and report on your Internet usage, send your private files to people on the Internet, or even delete your data. If you want to learn more about computer security, the Security at Home Web site has a lot of helpful information.
Windows Live OneCare is a quick way for you to protect your computer without having to become an expert in security and malicious software. OneCare provides a range of protection, including virus scanning, firewalls, tune-ups, and file backups. If you don't understand how those security features work, that's okay, because OneCare does almost everything automatically. If OneCare does need your assistance, it walks you through the process in a straightforward, friendly manner.
Malware falls into two broad categories:
1. | Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. These types of software are clearly bad and offer no value to the user. Typically, the software either tricks the user into installing it or takes advantage of a security vulnerability to install itself. |
2. | Spyware and adware. These types of software might offer some value, such as the ability to trade files with other people on the Internet. However, they might also do things you don't want, such as monitor your Web usage, display ads, or install other software. Often this category of malware installs itself without your knowledge and is difficult to remove. |
To protect yourself from malware, you need to do several things for every computer in your home:
| • | Keep your software up to date. To prevent malware from taking advantage of software vulnerabilities in Windows and other programs, Microsoft and other software companies regularly release updated software. Make sure to install the updates. You can set up Microsoft Windows XP to install updates automatically. |
| • | Install antivirus software to protect your computer from viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. |
| • | Install antispyware software to protect your computer from spyware and adware. |
Another thing you can do to protect all the computers in your home is to install a router. A router is a networking device that goes between your computer and the Internet. One of the functions of a router is to provide protection with a firewall, which automatically blocks many attacks from the Internet. If you have a wireless network or more than one computer connected to the Internet, you probably already have a router. If not, read Set up a wired network. If you're using Windows XP and have installed the necessary updates, you have a built-in firewall enabled by default. However, the firewall in the router is still useful because it provides an additional layer of protection (known as "belt-and-suspenders" protection).
Install antivirus software
Viruses, along with worms and Trojan horses, are types of malicious software that install themselves on your computer without your knowledge. Then they attempt to replicate themselves to other computers across the Internet. Some viruses make your computer crash, delete your files, prevent your computer from starting, or expose your personal information to attackers on the Internet. Viruses are designed to hide themselves from you, so they are difficult to find and remove.
Without antivirus software, there's a good chance your computer will be infected by a virus. Antivirus software is different from other types of software, because it must be updated often to detect and block new viruses that are released daily. Typically, you purchase an annual subscription to use antivirus software and receive updates.
Most new computers come with antivirus software, so you might already have it installed.
To determine if you already have antivirus software installed on your computer
1. | Click Start, and then click Control Panel. 
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2. | From the Control Panel, click Security Center. 
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If Security Center shows that Virus Protection is turned on, then antivirus software is installed. However, this doesn't guarantee that you are protected. Open your antivirus program and make sure:
| • | Your subscription is up to date. |
| • | Updates are set up for automatic download. |
| • | The program is set up to automatically scan your computer weekly. |
If these three conditions are met, you are already protected from viruses. You can now install antispyware software.
However, if Security Center shows that Virus Protection is Not Found or that your antivirus subscription has expired, then purchase and install an antivirus program such as Windows Live OneCare. Many other software vendors also offer antivirus software.
Install antispyware software
Spyware is a type of malware that can change your personal settings, send information about your browsing habits to marketing companies, insert extra advertisements in Web pages, or perform other unwanted tasks without your knowledge. Typically, spyware installs itself without your permission and hides on your computer. It's a program, but it might not appear in your All Programs group or in Add/Remove Programs. In fact, spyware might be installed on your computer right now without your even knowing it. To determine if spyware is installed on your computer, you can look out for certain signs.
To prevent spyware from being installed, and to remove spyware that is already on your computer, you need antispyware software. Antispyware software searches your computer for signs that spyware is installed and then gives you the option of uninstalling it. This is a challenging task, because new spyware appears every day. Therefore, the people who make antispyware software have to constantly identify new spyware, create new definitions to enable their software to find and remove the spyware, and then distribute the updated definitions to you. A number of antispyware programs are available for download and require no subscription fee.
If you use Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you can download Microsoft Windows Defender at no cost. Windows Defender is a powerful and easy-to-use tool for identifying and removing most spyware installed on your computer. Windows Defender automatically downloads new updates, so it is always ready to protect your computer from newly released spyware.
You can also use Windows Defender to find and remove spyware that has already been installed, so it's never too late to protect yourself from spyware.
There are also a number of antispyware programs available for Windows Me and Windows 98.
