Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional in 10 Minutes

By Dorothy Burke and Jane Calabria

• Table of Contents
  • Copyright
  • Tell Us What You Think!
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction
  • Conventions Used in This Book
  • Lesson 1. Navigating Windows 2000 Professional
  • Lesson 2. Working with a Window
  • Lesson 3. Using Menus
  • Lesson 4. Using Windows 2000 Professional Help
  • Lesson 5. Using Dialog Boxes
  • Lesson 6. Working with Multiple Windows and Applications
  • Lesson 7. Copying, Moving, and Linking Between Windows and Applications
  • Lesson 8. Using My Computer
  • Lesson 9. Managing Files with My Computer
  • Lesson 10. Using WordPad
  • Lesson 11. Understanding File Properties and the Recycle Bin
  • Lesson 12. Printing
  • Lesson 13. Using My Network Places
  • Lesson 14. Using the Control Panel
  • Lesson 15. Using Outlook Express Mail
  • Lesson 16. Sharing Workstations and Setting Passwords
  • Lesson 17. Using Internet Explorer 5
  • Lesson 18. Web Site and Document Searching
  • Lesson 19. Troubleshooting, Restarting, and Disaster Planning
    • Task Manager
    • Restarting Windows 2000
    • What is a Computer Virus?
    • Curing and Preventing Computer Viruses
    • Creating a Startup Disk
    • Troubleshooting Windows 2000
  • Lesson 20. Customizing the Windows 2000 Environment

Curing and Preventing Computer Viruses

Obviously, prevention is better than a cure. Not downloading files or bringing disks from home to work will make it much less likely that your office PC will contract a virus. But there will be times that you have to accept a file from someone. What can you do? That's where Virus Protection software comes in.

Virus Protection software reads files and disks looking for viruses and "cures" them by removing the virus or by alerting you that it doesn't have the "cure" for your virus. If the virus protection software can remove the virus, you can then safely open the file. If the virus protection software cannot remove the virus, it's best not to use the file, and you should consider deleting it.

Most virus protection software will run at all times that your computer is running, and it will check all new programs as you install them. You can also run a check of a disk if someone gives you a file you must load on your PC.

It's a good idea to upgrade your virus protection software at least every six to eight months. There is a difference between upgrading and updating. Updating usually involves installing files that will virus check against new viruses, found or made since your virus protection software was released. Upgrading usually refers to installing a new version of the virus software itself, which typically includes new features, not just protection against newly discovered viruses. Typically, you purchase upgrades from your computer store or from the software manufacturer. And typically, you download updates from the software company's Web site. Virus protection software programs will cost around $50. Since viruses have been known to completely incapacitate a computer, resulting in hours of work to rebuild the operating system and programs, virus protection is an inexpensive type of insurance. Better safe than sorry!

You can learn more about viruses on the Web. Search for "virus" or stop by the sites of virus protection software companies. Two of the largest (though hardly the only) companies that make virus protection software are McAfee Associates, Inc. and Symantec Corporation. McAfee makes a product called VirusScan, and their Web site is www.McAfee.com. Symantec is the maker of Norton AntiVirus products and can be found at www.symantec.com.

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