Stages of Protection from Viruses
If you want to reliably protect your computer from the virus attack, then the installation of modern antivirus software won't be enough. Sooner or later your antivirus will fail to response, and that's not because it isn't reliable enough. Things happen when the data loss can occur because of the user inattentiveness or ignorance. Sometimes the loss of information can be caused by unstable operating system.
The computer protection from viruses is performed in 2 stages:
1. Preparation for consequences.
2. Taking measures to prevent a virus attack.
Preparation for consequences
Here should be noted the following points:
- Pay attention to the backup! Regularly make copies of all important documents on external media; but if you use floppy disks make sure you have 2 backup copies, since these disks are very unreliable.
- If you backup a large amount of information, you cannot do without the archiver. That's why choose it with full responsibility.
- Always keep all distributional disks of the programs installed on your computer. There's absolutely no need to backup all programs, it's better to focus on saving the information. Be prepared to reinstall the programs anytime.
- It's quite useful to make the backup of the program configuration file. This will significantly reduce the time of reinstallation and configuration of all necessary applications.
- Take care of keeping all addresses and passwords stored on your computer. Perhaps you'd better write them into a notebook and keep away from the public eye.
- Regularly make the current image of hard disk.
- Create the system boot disk of the computer and check its operability in advance.
Taking measures
Once you have prepared to restore your computer, it's time to install antivirus software. It should be mentioned that you may have several programs and it's very useful to use different types of antivirus protection.
Each antivirus package contains such components as:
1. Antivirus scanner
2. Antivirus monitor
3. Disk auditor
4. Boot kit
Antivirus scanner is intended to test the main memory and media. It checks the files code, compares it with the antivirus database and warns when it corresponds.
Antivirus monitor works similarly to the scanner, but it scans those files that are currently used by the operating system. If the antivirus monitor detects the virus, it shuts down the system work and runs the program on the file cure and removal.
Disk auditor is used in conditions of enhanced security requirements and high risk of virus infection. It scans the computer disk and creates the database with the information on the size of all files. When the next scanning detects suspicious changes, the disk auditor may either notify about them, or run the scanner to check new and changed files.
Boot kit is used to boot your computer from the so-called "clean" drive in cases when the infection's occurred and the scanner run won't make any success.
It would be very wise of you to use several antivirus means, since each of them offers its own methods of computer protection.