Preventing and Guarding Against Viruses
I was contemplating some conversations that I have had recently with customers concerning virus protection. Sometimes I forget, we all do, that people not in our own business world, don't know everything we do about our business. For example, I have had mechanics tell me something about my car and become amused that I did not know how to do _____ or when to change _______. Well, I couldn't tell you when to change the anti-freeze or the transmission fluid. I am clueless about such things. Likewise, I forget how many people know little more that how to turn on a computer and barely know how to check e-mail.
So, for those of you out there who don't know about viruses, here are somethings that I have learned. Mind you, I didn't know these things until my computer crashed with a virus about three years ago.
For more information on the OnlineFileFolder, go to www.orangejacketwebhosting.com. Information about this product will be under the "Email" tab.
Shannon Fields,
recovering virus victim
So, for those of you out there who don't know about viruses, here are somethings that I have learned. Mind you, I didn't know these things until my computer crashed with a virus about three years ago.
- Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software as well as a firewall. I use AVG firewall and anit-virus. AVG does a good job. They also have a free version for home computing. Just Google "AVG FREE" and it should show up. Yep! Just Googled it. It is number one on the list.
- Reduce your use of Microsoft products as much as possible. Microsoft makes a fine product, but since they are the most popular, they are the ones who get attacked before anyone else. This is the primary reason that Apple does not suffer from virus attacks. Apple does not have the lion's share of the marketplace (yet). So, instead of using Internet Explorer as your internet browser, try Firefox. Instead of using Outlook as your e-mail client, try Thunderbird.
- Check your e-mail on a web-based email client BEFORE downloading it to your computer. For example, Orange Jacket Web Design's e-mail comes with a web-based e-mail client. I check my email there first, delete what I don't want, then download the rest to my PC for storage. Why? The web-based e-mail client is "out there somewhere" while Microsoft Outlook is literally on my computer. Viruses can't cause me harm as long as they are "out there."
- Back up your important files often. If a virus gets through, often times the only way to delete it is to wipe the hard drive clean and start over. When that happens, you lose everything. If you have backed up your files to an external hard drive or an online storage system, then you can simply reload those files once your computer is restored. Orange Jacket Web Design has an OnlineFileFolder just for this purpose. I upload all my important documents and files to that site as well back everything up to an external hard drive for safe keeping.
For more information on the OnlineFileFolder, go to www.orangejacketwebhosting.com. Information about this product will be under the "Email" tab.
Shannon Fields,
recovering virus victim
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