How to update Norton Antivirus?

Norton Antivirus can be updated in one of two ways. You can enable Live Update within the program or you can download and manually install updates from the Symantec website. Either way, it is important to update regularly to keep your computer safe from viruses or other malicious software that may be on a website or come through your email account.

Using Live Update

* 1 Open the Norton Antivirus program from your desktop or from the Start menu on your computer.

* 2 Click on "Options" in the top menu bar of the program.

* 3 Click on the small box beside "Enable Live Update." Click on "Apply."

* 4 Close the program. Norton will automatically download and install the updates while you are working online.


Manual Update

* 1 Surf to the Symantec website with your Internet browser.

* 2 Use the search feature to locate the downloadable updates. Or use the link listed in the Resources below.

* 3 Download the latest update to your desktop or to a folder where you can locate it easily.

* 4 Click on the update file on your desktop or folder. This will install the update to the Norton Antivirus program.

* 5 Reboot the computer if prompted.

For more info: http://www.ehow.com/search.html?s=How+to+update+Antivirus&skin=corporate&t=all

New Computer Virus Masquerades as Antivirus

A latest computer virus masquerades as famous antivirus software in Centennial, Colorado (US) and experts opine that it can cause damage to the hardware and hack system's files. The virus seems to be originating from authentic Antivirus Security Programs like Norton and McAfee.

The virus informs the users that their system is suffering from a virus infection and advises them to enter their credit card details to buy an updated version to clean the system. In other words, it is simply a computer virus disguising as authentic software.

Vice President of Centennial-based Accelerated Network Solutions, Greg Cann stated that once the users reveal their credit card details, attackers gain an access to their hard drive and money, as per the news published by thedenverchannel.com on April 14, 2010.

An individual from Centennial, Frank Martin was recently hit by the virus when his wife mistakenly installed the software without knowing that the antivirus solution was bogus.

The security firm suggested that users should be more careful to avoid such attacks. It is very important that computer protection systems should be updated.

Source: Spamfighter.com

Install Anti-virus

With the increasing pace of Internet usage worldwide, the rate at which the Computer Security systems are being infected is also increasing. Not only the users connected to Internet are infected, but the non-Internet users are also being attacked at the same rate with the use of infected portable storage devices like floppies, CD/DVD, USB flash drives and other for transferring files, data, and other documents among different computer systems.

There has been a tremendous growth in the number of malicious codes developed and spread on Internet. There has been a growth in the virus, spywares, Trojan horse, worms, adware, key loggers and other similar threats. To tackle with this increasing growth of virus and other malicious code on Internet, anti-virus software are simultaneously developed and updated.

In today’s scenario the anti-virus software comes bundled with several additional programs such as firewalls, and spyware removal tools so as to provide a higher level of security to the computer users.

The first line of defense to protect your PC is to install some good anti-virus software carrying the feature of automatic update. The reason behind installing anti-virus software with the automatic update feature is to get the latest protection against the newly released viruses and other malicious codes. The next step is to update the anti-virus with the latest virus definitions.

The install anti-virus software compares the binary code of the content stored on the computer hard disk against the database of virus definitions. When the anti-virus software detects the similar binary code of the virus on the hard disk then it report it as the presence of virus. So, if the virus definition database is updated with the latest virus definitions then your computer system will remain protected against the latest virus attacks.

Anti Virus Test Program For You

How often do you test your anti virus program to check that it is functioning correctly?
There is a very simple way to check any anti virus program, simply go to eicar and download the test file.

IMPORTANT: This is NOT a real virus and can do no damage

The following files were created by the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research - EICAR - so that users could physically test the effectiveness of their chosen anti virus product.
Read the page carefully. There are four options to download using the standard http protocol and four for using the secure, SSL enabled https protocol.

The first file contains an ASCII string, the second file is a copy using a different filename, the third is contained within a zip archive folder and the fourth contains the third zip file within a zip archive folder. This is to see if your anti virus will scan deeper than just the first level.

Any good antivirus support canada program will stop you from downloading any of these and will inform you that 'A Virus Was Found' and abort the connection. Others will allow you to download any of the files and save them to a folder from where you open them. Upon opening, your anti virus should warn you that a virus has been found and you should choose the option to put it into quarantine.

You can also write the ASCII characters in Notepad and save the file as 'eicar.com' and again your anti virus should warn you that a virus has been found and you should quarantine it.

When you have run any of the tests delete any eicar files that you have saved and also delete them from quarantine.

source:ezinearticles.com

The Importance Of Virus Protection And Its Impact On Your Computer

Meaning of computer virus

Computer viruses are special programs which are written or created for the purpose of upsetting or destroying the performance of the computer systems. Hence, every computer needs anti virus software capable of detecting these viruses and eliminating them from the computer systems. Computer viruses are spread through internet downloads as well as through opening of email or by downloading an attachment.

What is anti virus software?

Anti virus software is a written program designed specifically to detect the viruses and prevent them from damaging the computer systems.

The reasons for computer anti virus program

Anti Virus program is necessary to keep the computer systems and the network running effectively. A virus can cause great havoc on your computer, if, it is not detected. Anti virus program installed on your computer will keep it safe against viruses.

Computer viruses affect the speed and efficiency of your system thereby causing you longer time to complete a task. Some of these viruses are so destructive that the whole system can crash and stop working resulting in lost of data. If you need your computer to work efficiently and effectively for you, you should installed computer anti virus software. Having a good anti virus program is not just enough, and to ensure that our computer is always safe, one needs to update regularly the virus protection software.

Computer viruses come in different forms. This make it difficult to find out which virus is causing problem to our system. However, if a good anti virus software is installed you will be informed when a computer virus attacked your system. You should always scan your computer system with the scanning tools that comes with the software in order to clean and eliminate the virus before it causes any major problem.

Having installed anti virus software, you need to turn on the program to enable it detect any virus trying to enter through emails or when downloading files. Once, you have been notified of a virus, your anti virus software should guide you step by step towards removing the virus. It is also important that you must remove the virus completely before using the computer; otherwise, the virus may spread through emails sent to friends.

Finally, everyone who uses the computer must protect it against virus attack. If virus enters your computer system, all your personal data as well as business data would be lost. Also, you would have to invest thousands of dollars to repair the computer system to work efficiently as before the anti virus support canada attack.

source:ezinearticles.com

Get an Anti Virus Online to Protect your Computer

Viruses have been a big threat when you are online because it can easily proliferate itself and destroy your computer. They can get into your computer system through email, instant message or websites without any difficulty.

Another way is if they identify that your system is open such as having a peer-to-peer connection. If your computer is not well protected then it is highly susceptible to viruses.
Viruses can do harmful things to your computer. Depending on how a virus was programmed, their effect can be: damaging files, clogging your system, interfere with the computer processes or replicate themselves. Your first defense is getting knowledge about viruses, how they work, what are the latest viruses and how they can get into your system. Then, be aware of the practical tips such as not downloading attached files from unknown sender or deleting spam e-mail to avoid getting a virus.

Another, defense against these harmful files is getting an anti virus online. Downloading or purchasing anti virus online is recommended because the best softwares are found on the internet.

Below are some reasons why it is advisable to get an Anti Virus online:

• Wide range of selection. An anti virus online can downloaded for free or needs to be purchased. You can settle for anti virus online freewares if all you need is basic features to protect your computer from viruses.

However, if you are not confident enough when using the internet and believed that your computer is always at risk, then purchase an anti virus online which can better shield your system from virus attacks.

• Evaluate before using anti virus. Information about virus scan are available online. You can read the services and features that they offer.

Then give them a try for a few weeks if they work as designed. Ensure that the anti virus you will select is user-friendly and updates frequently. Virus scan updates are critical because there are new viruses everyday.

• Make a comparison. If you cannot decide which anti virus to use, you can easily make a comparison. List down what are their features, services and cost. Also, take into consideration if they also have support lines (how-to guides, Chat, email).

In case you have problems in using the software or removing a virus from your computer, they can guide you through resolving the problem.

Another helpful information that you can get on the internet are the reviews. Virus scan online reviews will help you determine if which anti virus software is the best among internet users. Just read the positive and negative reviews of the anti virus software so you can decide wisely.

Getting an anti virus online is very convenient, however, you need to be careful when choosing one. It is possible that the said anti virus is a virus itself. So do your homework in getting enough information about all anti virus online so you can decide which one will work best for you and your computer.

source:ezinearticles.com

Spam Is Growing And Getting More Sophisticated

We're all familiar with e-mail spam offering prescription drugs, cut-rate software and herbal potions.

But spammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in delivering ploys intended to dupe people into divulging personal information. Some of their most recent innovations are traps for people who might be seeking help with drug or alcohol addiction.

A recent report from Symantec Corp., the Cupertino, Calif.-based developer of Norton AntiVirus Support Canada software and other programs, says that unsolicited e-mails offering information about alcohol or drug rehabilitation services could very well be spam.

Appearing new this summer was e-mail with the subject lines "Get help today with Drug Rehab Info" or "Overcome Alcoholism Today" illustrated with photographs of people who seem depressed, the Symantec report said.

"It's one of their more sinister attacks," said Dermot Harnett, the report's editor. "If you open it, it will bring you to a sign-up page asking for your name, address and e-mail information. It's the first step in trying to get credit card information."

Besides the innovations, the overall volume of spam is up, too. In July 2007, about 66 percent of all e-mail messages were spam, the report said. This year, the figure rose to 78 percent.
You may think it's all coming from overseas, but according to Symantec, Americans are the biggest offenders. In July, the largest amount of spam — 27 percent — originated in the U.S., followed by Turkey and Russia, which tied at 7 percent, the report said.

The bulk of that e-mail contained phony offers or nasty computer viruses, Harnett said.
In an attempt to spread Trojan viruses, which can delete files or turn your computer into a spam-spewing zombie or snatch your e-mail addresses, spammers resort to both old and new ploys.

source:crime-research.org