123 Protect your computer

[Molly]

I went throught the 123 computer protection steps. 1 & 2
checked off ok, but 3 said to get virus protection. I
have Norton Anti-virus that updates regularly thru
Symantec. However, I have still gotten a download.trojan
virus. Why? and why does this microsoft step say I
still need virus protection? Any ideas?

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Virus/trojan files are already out there, waiting to be downloaded. It
takes the antivirus software companies some time to identify the damaging
files and update their definition files. Add to that, the time between
updates on your end, and there is a window of vulnerability. Your best
defense for virus/trojan files is not to run ANY executable file from
someone you don't know, or it doesn't seem to make sense that the file in
question would come from that person, if you do know them. If in doubt, ask
the sender if they did indeed send it to you.

If you downloaded the file from a web site, consider the source before you
run it.

Additionally, Microsoft will never e-mail an update or patch to you. So if
a download purports to come from MS, and it comes via e-mail, do NOT run it.