Anti-Virus Tips & Tricks

• I use my PC with an administrator account. What are the risks, if any?
  It is inadvisable to use your PC with an administrator account if your operating system allows you (like Windows XP) to use other types of accounts. A computer running under an administrative account is a blessing for hackers and viruses, which then have full rights when they manage to infiltrate the system. It can modify the registry as it likes and access several critical functions. To avoid these dangers, have user accounts with limited rights.

• I have not opened any suspect files and yet my computer is full of spyware. How can I avoid it?
  Spyware does not spread like viruses through attached files. It often downloads itself without your being aware of it when you visit certain web pages. Other spyware is included in free software, the most well known being Kazaa exchange files. To avoid Spyware, check out the Web for free programs that contain Spyware so as to avoid downloading it. For Spyware that installs itself when you browse certain sites, use anti-spyware software.
   

• My task manager seems to be blocked and I cannot open certain websites, nor can I update my software programs. What is causing this problem?
  Several recent viruses use these processes to prevent the user from detecting or deleting them. To counteract this problem, connect up to the Symantec site from a non-infected computer. If you know the name of the virus, download the appropriate deletion tool directly. If it is a virus that exploits faults in programs, also download the latest updates for the most common programs, such as Windows and Internet Explorer. Download these files onto a healthy medium (such as a USB key or a CD-ROM) and then transfer them onto your computer.
   
• Can viruses spread via instant messages?
  Not only do they spread in this way, but recently they have actually been targeting these programs in particular. Bropia, Kelvir or Serflog are just a few examples of these viruses, which have deceived their victims with email messages containing an infected link or attached file. To protect yourself against this type of threat, configure your antivirus system to scan the files received by email.

• I would like to select the ads that I want to block on the Internet. How is this possible?
  Using the "Ad Blocking" feature of Norton AntiSpam, you can select the ads that you particularly want to block. For users who use Internet Explorer as their browser, it's as easy as childs play. All they have to do is slide the unwanted ad into the "Ad Blocking" window. Netscape users need to right-click on the ad and select the "copy image address" option. They then paste this address in the "Ad Blocking" dialog box.

• Several of us use the same family computer. How can we protect the younger users whilst not hindering the browsing of adults in the house?
  With Norton Internet Security, you can set up user accounts for each member of the family. Each member is ranked according to his/her access rights: "restricted" accounts only provide a limited access to the Internet. The "standard" account holder can modify his/her access. The "supervisor" account is able to modify any of the user accounts on the computer. There is also a default account, known as "unconnected", which, when a user closes a session, blocks all access to the Internet until another user connects to the web on the computer.

• I have heard that the sudden appearance of pop-up windows can indicate a fraudulent site. Is this true?
  Pop-up windows, when used for legitimate ends, can be a very useful way of displaying information without closing the original page. But a weakness recently discovered in the majority of web browsers has shown that they can be used as a tool in carrying out "phishing" attacks. Hackers can take control of a pop-up window, even when you are on your bank's legitimate website for example. To avoid this type of risk, be sure to check the address of the pop-ups that appear (if the address is not visible, simply right-click on the window and select "Properties" from the context menu - the address will then be displayed). In any case, it is recommended that you not give out confidential personal information on a webpage that you are unsure of.

• I have received an email from a friend saying that his computer has been infected by a virus and that, because I am in his address book, I should also run a check on my computer. Should I be concerned?
  This does not necessarily mean that your computer is infected, but there is a risk nonetheless. First, carry out a full scan of your hard disk using your anti-virus software. If your software is not up-to-date or if it has been deactivated by the virus, go to the Symantec website and have your computer analysed using the Symantec Security Check by clicking on the following link: http://security.symantec.com/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=uk&venid=sym

• I would like to recover a lost file by installing Norton UnErase, included with Norton SystemWorks. How do I go about it?
  If you are using Windows 98/Me, the installation of new software may erase the file you wish to recover. You need to therefore act before the installation, by launching the software from the CD. This technique however is not possible with Windows 2000 or XP: the files deleted prior to the installation are not recoverable with these operating systems.

• My computer will not start up and I think a virus infection is the cause. What should I do?
  You can start up your computer using the installation CD of Norton AntiVirus, Norton Internet Security or Norton SystemWorks. The tool on the CD will then allow you to search for and remove viruses. If you are using Windows 98/Me, you can also use the emergency disks that you may have created beforehand. Note, however, that your installation CD may not include the most recent virus definitions. After having started up your computer (either with an emergency disk or the installation CD), you will need to reinstall the operating system and update your antivirus software.

• Ever since I downloaded some free software from the Internet, pop-up ad windows appear constantly and get in the way of browsing. Does a virus cause this? How can I stop this from happening?
  The software you have downloaded more than likely contains an "adware" program, spy software sent by certain advertising agencies that is designed to run alongside your browser and display advertisements. The software that is most well known for carrying adware (the term spyware is also used) is the downloading platform, Kazaa. Apart from slowing down your connection and gathering information without your knowledge, these undesirable programs can also be a nuisance with regard to content. This content is often adult in nature and is displayed in pop-up windows. If you should decide to get rid of these programs, note that once the spyware/adware has been eliminated, it is likely that you will no longer be able to use the "parent-software" as it is this adware that usually allows this software to be distributed for free...

• My computer was recently infected by a virus. I disinfected it but I am still experiencing functioning errors. How can this be possible?
  Your computer may have been infected by a virus such as Sasser or Korgo, which exploit weaknesses in your software. If you ran a delete tool but did not update your software, the virus may infect your computer again. Correct the weakness that was exploited by the virus (see the Symantec website for relevant information: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/) and update your antivirus also.

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