Installing an anti-virus program on your computer is pretty straightforward. But besides the actual installation itself, there are several things you should keep in mind when you put anti-virus software on your desktop or laptop. • Nothing is 100% effective Even the best anti-virus program won’t completely guarantee that you’ll never get a virus. Most reputable programs will do a great job of protecting your computer, but there’s always a slim chance that something will slip through the cracks. For this reason you should prepare for the worst in case it ever happens. Back up your data regularly, in case you ever lose it. Whether you copy it to a DVD, a network drive, or somewhere online, back it up somewhere so that you can restore it if you ever need it. There are many backup programs that will automate the process for you so it’s not a big hassle. • Keep it up to date One of the most important things you can do to keep your computer well-protected is to keep your anti-virus software up to date. Almost all anti-virus programs have an auto update feature that will allow them to automatically detect updates and install them without you having to manually worry about it. Periodic updates are released by companies for the anti-virus software itself, typically to improve performance or to fix a bug, but virus definitions also need to be updated, and new ones can be put out every day sometimes. The best thing to do is set your anti-virus program for auto updating. If you find that the updates are slowing your computer down, you can program the updates for sometime overnight and then just leave your computer on when you go to bed, but you should never prevent your anti-virus software from getting the updates it needs. • Don’t let your subscription expire If your anti-virus program is subscription-based (like many Norton products) you’ll need to renew your subscription at the end of the term in order to still receive updates. Once your subscription expires, you can still use the program and still probably run scans, but you won’t be able to download any program updates or new virus definitions. Most companies will be diligent about sending you reminder emails when your subscription is close to expiring. They don’t want to lose your business, so they’ll keep on you to renew as early as possible. And when you do renew, you can often get a cheaper rate if you purchase a multi-year subscription, or multi-product subscription if you are protecting more than one device. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society