Keeping Your Systems Safe (NAPSA)—There’s good news for people worried about computer viruses becoming rampant. As the Internet becomes more and more important, and home broadband connections and home wireless networks proliferate, the number of people potentially vulnerable to Internet viruses is growing rapidly. A computervirus is a malicious program designedto replicate and to damage other programs on the computer by erasing or corrupting data. The virus typically attaches itself to a legitimate-seeming program and gets itself run first when the program is used. Viruses are even more danger- ous now that more and more people are building computer networks in their homes. A virus on one computer can often rapidly infect the entire network. There are several ways you can protect your computer from viruses: Do not open any files attached to an e-mail from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source. If you get an attachment that you weren’t expecting from someone you do know, check with that person before you open it. Someviruses replicate themselves and spread through e-mail without the sender being aware—your friend may be infected and not even knowit. Delete chain e-mails and junk e-mail without forwarding or replying to any of them. Some virus authors rely on human behavior—the desire to share charming or touching stories—to do the work of spreading the malicious code. Be careful when downloading files from the Internet. Make sure Internet Security INTEGRATED PROTECTION FROM VIRUSES, HACKERS, SPYWARE, AND SPAM Bm ANTIVIRUS, PERSONAL FIRSWALL i PRIVACY PROTECTION WIFI WIRELESS PATROL Computer security can be simple with one program that combines spam protection and virus protection with a firewall. that the source is a legitimate and reputable one and that an antivirus program checksthefiles on the downloadsite. Make sure you have quality anti-virus software and that it’s up-to-date. One product, PC- cillin” from Trend Micro, is ideal for multiple home networked computers, offering anti-virus, personal firewall and antispam protection as well as checking for spyware, adware, WiFi intrusion and so-called “phishing” attacks designed to steal personal data, such as credit card and bank account numbers, user names and passwords. There’s even a parental control option to keep inappropriate materials from your kids. This home network control feature allows you to configure, update, and control PC-cillin for every PC on your network through a single remote interface. To learn more, please go to www.trendmicro.com/personal.
