How to prevent infections

Below is some advice about how to prevent virus infections. Remember that prevention is one of the most efficient tools for combating computer viruses.

Backup copies: make a habit of regularly copying your most important data on backup copies. This is one of the most common pieces of advice in the computer world, but one that is rarely followed. Regular backup copies do not only solve the problem of viruses, but also get round any problem arising in the computer. If backup copies are only made of important data, then your copies will be quick and easy to make. A backup copy should be made at least once every month.

Scan everything you receive: this is one of the most important bases for prevention. Scan any programs or files that you are going to introduce or have introduced in your computer before you run or open them. This will allow you to detect possible viruses before they have time to infect any of your files.

Use permanent active protection: permanent protections constantly check all operations carried out in the computer that might be infected by a virus. If you possess a reliable permanent protection such as that included in Panda Antivirus 6.0, the risk of infection is minimal and work with your computer is greatly facilitated, as you no longer have to remember to scan everything you receive. Your permanent protection takes care of it automatically.

Periodic scanning: scan your entire computer periodically. With Panda Antivirus 6.0 it is easy to carry out periodic scans at times when you are not working with the computer. This type of periodic scanning will prevent any virus that has entered your computer from spreading too far. It is best to scan the whole system at least once a week, although this will depend on how much you use your computer.

Keep up-to-date: given the number of new viruses that are detected every month û some 300 û it is essential that you have an update service to keep your antivirus up-to-date. Otherwise your computer will be at the mercy of the new, dangerous viruses that continuously appear.

Clean boot disk: to prevent future problems, always keep a virus-free boot disk at hand. This will make it easier to clean your computer in case it becomes contaminated by a virus. Although you can create this disk yourself, the Safedisk utility shipped with Panda Antivirus 6.0 creates several disks. The first of these is a boot disk, whereas the others are used for disinfection purposes. These disks constitute an essential tool when it comes to ridding a computer of viruses.