Antivirus software has become a must for all home computer users and home office workers. Every day, the Internet becomes less and less safe for your computer and the valuable files you store on it. If you are one of millions of people infected with the Sasser virus and other notorious computer viruses, you know the cost of not being protected.
But other than disconnecting your home computer, what's the solution? Thankfully, there are as many new antivirus software products on the market as there are new viruses.
How Computer Viruses Work
Computer viruses come in many different forms, the most common being a worm . Viruses typically enter your computer via email, and infect your computer as soon as you open the email. That's why you should never open an email if the subject doesn't sound familiar or if you don't know who it's from.
Newer viruses can even spread onto your computer simply from being connected to the Internet. Some are time-delayed and take a while to damage your computer for you to notice it but by then it is too late. Antivirus software is designed to immediately grab and notify you of the virus, and terminate it by a click of your mouse before it can harm your computer.
Updating Antivirus Software
Every day new viruses are developed to try to get around the latest anti-virus software. That's why it is important to find an antivirus program that can be updated on a regular basis.
You should upgrade your antivirus software at least once every two weeks. It is even recommended to immediately update after you install your new anti-virus software for the first time.
Not having antivirus protection if you are a frequent user of the Internet is like driving without a seatbelt. If you get into an accident, you'll have no one to blame but yourself for any injuries you receive. So don't leave your computer unguarded!
