The Personal and Social Impact of Computers - Principles of Information Systems - page 588

Figure 14.1

Global Virus Infections—
Number of Infected Computers
per Million Citizens
(Source: Courtesy of McAfee, Inc.)

protection is current. To safeguard your PC and prevent it from spreading viruses to your
friends and coworkers, some antivirus software scans and cleans both incoming and out-
going e-mail messages. Some of the most highly rated antivirus software for 2007 includes
BitDefender, Kaspersky, ESET Nod32, AVG Anti-Virus, F Secure Anti-Virus, Trend Micro,
McAfee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus, and CA Antivirus. This software can be purchased
for $20 to $66.
Many e-mail services and ISP providers offer free antivirus protection. For example, AOL
and MWEB (one of South Africa's leading ISPs) offer free antivirus software from McAfee.
Disk defragmentation reorganizes the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file
close together and contiguously. It also creates larger regions of free space. Tests have shown
that antivirus scans run significantly faster on computers with regularly defragmented files
and free space, reducing the time to do a complete scan by 18 to 58 minutes. 38 Consider
running disk defragmentation software on a regular basis.
Proper use of antivirus software requires the following steps:

1. Install antivirus software and run it often. Many of these programs automatically check

for viruses each time you boot up your computer or insert a disk or CD, and some even
monitor all e-mail and file transmissions and copying operations.

2. Update antivirus software often. New viruses are created all the time, and antivirus

software suppliers are constantly updating their software to detect and take action against
these new viruses.

3. Scan all removable media, including CDs, before copying or running programs from

them. Hiding on disks or CDs, viruses often move between systems. If you carry docu-
ment or program files on removable media between computers at school or work and
your home system, always scan them.

4. Install software only from a sealed package or secure Web site of a known software

company. Even software publishers can unknowingly distribute viruses on their program
disks or software downloads. Most scan their own systems, but viruses might still remain.