Protecting Yourself:

Avoiding Viruses

Even with the best anti-virus software, you are only as safe as the most recent upgrade you have installed from the vendor. Every anti-virus product misses new viruses when they first emerge.

While good anti-virus software, kept up to date, can help with some viruses, there is always a delay between when the virus is first on the Internet and when protection is available in the form of anti-virus software.

You can further reduce your risk of getting or spreading a computer virus through a few simple precautions.

  1. Reduce file sharing.
  2. Configure applications for safe operation.
  3. Know what attachments do before opening.
  4. Only open attachments you expect.
  5. Keep your anti-virus software up to date.
  6. Keep your operating system up to date.
  7. Keep your applications up to date.

If you think you have a virus and need help confirming it or removing it, contact the ITC Computing Help Desk at 924-3731 or email consult@virginia.edu

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