Install an antivirus software program from a well-known, reputable company (we recommend and sell AVG), and run it as recommended by the provider. If the program has an automatic virus-scanning feature, keep it turned on. Remember that new viruses can be released every single day. Therefore, if the product has an auto-update feature, you should use it to help protect your computer from the latest viruses.

Keep your computer updated with the latest critical updates and security patches.

The easiest way to do this is to visit the Protect Your PC site which guides you on:

using an Internet firewall (firewall: A combination of hardware and software that provides a security system, usually to prevent unauthorized access from outside to an internal network or intranet.), mail folder.
updating your Microsoft Windows® operating system by using the Windows Update site,
and using up-to-date antivirus software.

Use the default security settings in Office.

Office 2007 is the most secure version of Office yet released. It has safeguards in place to help protect your programs and data from viruses. Microsoft recommends that you do not change the Office default settings to lower security settings. For more information about Office security, visit the Security site on Microsoft Office Online.

Keep Office updated with the latest critical updates.

Upgrading to the latest version of Office ensures that you have the latest security features.

Find out whether or not you really have a virus

Viruses often run without your knowing. However, if your computer is acting strangely or one of your programs is not working correctly, this does not necessarily mean that your computer has a virus. Being aware of specific symptoms that a particular virus causes is key. You can get this information from the Microsoft Antivirus Information site. It will alert you to the latest viruses, their severity, and the symptoms they cause.

Download files only from trusted sites

When downloading a file from a Web site, be sure you know the source! You should try to download files only from known, well-established companies. When in doubt, don't download the file. As an extra precaution, you can download files onto a disk separate from your hard disk, such as a floppy disk or a zip disk, and then scan the files with your virus scanner.

Install only from authentic CDs.

In general, installing software from authentic, commercially distributed CDs is the safest method. For example, all Microsoft CDs have holograms to prove their authenticity.

Back up data regularly.

Make regular backups. If a virus erases or corrupts files on your hard disk, a recent backup may be the only way to recover your data. Back up your entire system regularly. At the minimum, back up files that you can't afford to lose, such as documents, pictures, favorite links, address books, and important e-mail messages.

Don't open suspicious or unsolicited e-mail messages or files.

Even though Microsoft Outlook® helps protect your computer from viruses, you don't want to give spammers (people who send junk or unwanted e-mail messages) a chance. In Microsoft Office Outlook® 2003, you can filter your Inbox and send suspicious messages to your Junk E-mail folder