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www.gateway.com
Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer
Protecting your computer from viruses
A
virus
is a program that attaches itself to a file on a computer, then spreads from one
computer to another. Viruses can damage data or cause your computer to malfunction.
Some viruses go undetected for a period of time because they are activated on a certain date.
Protect your computer from a virus by:
■
Registering your copy of Norton
®
Internet Security and subscribing to the virus
definition update service. You received a free limited time subscription to the Norton
Internet Security service when you purchased your computer.
■
Using the Norton Internet Security program to check files and programs that are
attached to e-mail messages or downloaded from the Internet.
■
Checking all programs for viruses before installing them.
■
Disabling macros on suspicious Microsoft Word and Excel files. These programs will
warn you if a document that you are opening contains a macro that might have a
virus.
■
Periodically updating the Norton Internet Security program to protect against the
latest viruses.
■
Making sure the Windows Security Center is configured to provide you with the
highest level of protection.
Tips & Tricks
For more information about modifying security settings, see
“Modifying Security Settings” in
Using Your Computer which has been
included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click
Start
,
All Programs
, then click
Gateway Documentation
.
Help and Support
For more information about protecting your computer against viruses,
click
Start
, then click
Help and Support
. Type the keyword
viruses
in the
Search
box
, then click the arrow.
8510808.book Page 40 Thursday, June 30, 2005 7:43 AM
