One of the best ways to avoid problems with your
security software is to make sure that you keep it
up-to-date.
When your security software malfunctions, you’re putting everything on the line until it’s fixed. Read on for solutions to a few problems you may encounter with your security software.
Your Antivirus Software Appears Not To Be Functioning Or Dramatically Slows Your PC’s Performance
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as too much protection. Running more than one antivirus program on your PC at once can lead to conflicts, severe reduction in performance, and other problems. If you are running more than one, uninstall the extra program(s). Although not every slow PC or malfunctioning antivirus software is due to multiple instances of antivirus, it is common. Antivirus software requires low-level access to your system, and if it detects another application that has access to the same sensitive areas of your system, it will flag that as malware. Both Microsoft and third-party antivirus software developers agree, one is all you need. If for some reason you do want to keep two installed, make sure only one is active at a time. Usually, an icon in the system tray is a good indicator that an antivirus application is running. Right-click the extra program(s) and exit or disable them.
You Suspect That Your PC Is Infected, But Antivirus & Antispyware Scans Find Nothing
The first thing you want to do is make sure your antivirus and antispyware software is fully updated. Typically, these programs check for updates prior to running, but a failed connection to the Internet can prevent the updates from downloading. Another tactic is to try running an alternative antispyware scanner. While we recommend running only one antivirus program at once, you can run several antispyware applications without experiencing any system-crippling side effects (only let them scan one at a time). Often, a virus or malware program can keep your antivirus and antispyware applications from running, and can prevent you from installing alternatives or browsing the Web for answers. If this is the case, you need help. If you can get access to another PC, you can install the infected hard drive as a secondary drive and use the other computer to run a virus scan on it. If you have Internet access and you can install applications, you can try the Microsoft Safety Scanner by visiting tinyurl.com/3r24p7e and clicking Download.
Right-click the icon in your System Tray to view your
security software options.
problems your current security software missed.
This is what one of the more convincing rogue
antivirus software looks like.
Avoid Rogue Antivirus Software
Rogue antivirus software tends to first notify you of problems while you’re browsing an infected Web page. Because these applications are modelled after actual antivirus applications, they can look very convincing. The best way to avoid being duped is to get to know your current antivirus and antispyware software. If the alerts you’re seeing say something to the effect of “your system is infected, scan now” but they aren’t coming from your trusted software, it’s likely a spoof. Don’t click anything. Press ALT-F4 to close the popup and Web page, then run your current antivirus software; then scan with your trusted antispyware application to determine if there really is an infection. Beware, if you click a button to scan or even to dismiss the message, the rogue software may download and install on your PC, commonly disabling your existing antivirus applications in the process. If you suspect that you have rogue antivirus software installed on your system and are unable to run your current antivirus and antispyware applications, then install the infected hard drive as a secondary drive and run a virus scan using the other computer.
Keep Safe
Security software is your first and last defense against malware, phishing sites, and hackers. Take good care of your antivirus and antispyware software and it will take good care of you.
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