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Anti-Virus

NMVFC PC Help Center

Anti-Virus

It is absolutely imperative that every computer connected to the internet in this corner of the universe have automatic anti-virus software. Not only can your own computer be ruined, but it can use your computer to spread itself to others.  If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for everyone else! It is free and doesn’t take long to setup. The peace of mind and security you get from this little bit of effort goes a long way. This will also make sure it isn’t you that spreads a virus to the whole fire company on the list server...

First, here is a one-shot scan & remove tool for several of the “popular” viruses. This is a single executable file that will scan your machine for certain specific viruses and remove them if found. This is not an anti-virus program. Again, it is simply a one-shot removal tool. You can run it as often as you’d like. Keep it saved somewhere handy on your PC.

Download Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
Right click the link and select SAVE AS. Save the file to your desktop so you can easily find it later.

Now, on to the a complete anti-virus solution for you PC.

If you...

  • Don’t have any anti-virus software now
  • Have an expired version of Norton or McAfee anti-virus
  • Are tired of paying for Norton or McAfee

I highly suggest Grisoft’s “AVG Anti-Virus” free edition.  This software is every bit as good as the “big name” programs such as Norton & McAfee, if not better. This company makes the free edition for personal use and markets their expensive version to large corporations who need more comprehensive services.  AVG Anti-Virus will provide you with automatic definition updates, e-mail scanning, background virus monitoring, automatic nightly system scans, and of course a manual scan whenever you wish. I have put the latest version of AVG right here on the NMVFC web server for you to download. Simply right click the following link and select SAVE AS.  Save the file to your desktop for easy access when it’s done downloading.

Download AVG Anti-Virus

Run the installation file after the download is complete.  The program will be installed on your computer. It will prompt you to do an update which you should definitely do. After installation and update is complete, it will ask you if you want to do a complete scan. Now would be a great time to do that!

As you navigate your way around the “AVG Control Center”, you will see the options for automatic scans and automatic updates as well the schedule for all of the above. If you have a high speed internet connection such as DSL or Cable, you might as well set it to do an update each night and you can just leave the computer on.  If you have a dial-up service, setting for once a week will suffice.  Usually, it will download the definition updates once you connect. Automatic full system scans should be set for no less than once a week.  If the computer is turned off on a night you have it set for an automatic scan, it will begin the scan the next time the computer is turned on.

If a virus is found, it will quarantine the infected file to prevent it from spreading.  You can then remove the quarantined files from the “virus vault” in the AVG control center.

 

If you want to continue using your existing Norton or McAfee software, you should know a few things first:

  • You absolutely must keep your subscription service current.  You will not get new virus definitions if your subscription is expired
  • You absolutely must use the automatic updates weekly. at the least.  Anti-Virus software is useless without regular updates!!
  • You do need to make sure you background and e-mail scanning is enabled in the control centers. Again, it is useless without it.

 

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