Step 3: Install Anti-virus Software

Treat your anti-virus program as a parachute. It's better to never need to rely on it, but... Your own vigilance can be more reliable than any anti-virus program. Firewalls and antispyware are much more important than antivirus these days.

basic track

Most likely your computer came with Norton or McAfee Anti-virus already installed. If it's less than a couple of years old, I'd leave well enough alone, skip the first three steps, and continue with the Step 4.

Steps

1. Select the anti-virus program you are going to install. I would not use Norton Anti-virus, unless it came installed on your computer. Avast! is a good choice for a free anti-virus program. [comprehensive anti-virus rankings]
2. Mucho Importante: uninstall any old antivirus program(s), including security "suites" before upgrading or replacing with a new one. Don't say I didn't warn you. ;-)
3. Install your new anti-virus program. Follow the instructions carefully. If you become dazed and confused, stop the install, and get some help.
4. Make sure that enable the option to update signatures (reference files) automatically. Then go online and either wait for them to update, or initiate a manual update.
5. Test your virus protection online. If you find a problem, fix it or get some help.
6. Finish by running a thorough scan of your system using your anti-virus program. The real time protection of your anti-virus may not have caught some new virus or worm that wasn't in the signatures yet. It's good to do a full scan once a month or so.

strong track

1. Select the anti-virus program you are going to install. I recommend ESET's NOD32, or Norton, but only if it came installed on your computer. Avast! is an excellent choice for a free anti-virus program. [more info at the "anti-malware" page]
4. Make sure that enable the option to update signatures (reference files) automatically. (Enable "AMON", "IMON" and "Automatic Update" for NOD32.) Then go online and either wait for the signature files to update, or initiate a manual update.

robust track

1. Select the anti-virus program you are going to install. I recommend ESET's NOD32 for robust virus defense. I don't think Norton Anti-virus quite measures up to NOD32. You might want to stick with Norton if it came installed on your computer. [more info at the "anti-malware" page] other protection.

4. Make sure that enable the option to update signatures (reference files) automatically. (Enable "AMON", "IMON" and "Automatic Update" for NOD32.) Then go online and either wait for the signature files to update, or initiate a manual update.