So, you think you have a virus? Well, maybe you don't. Many people just think that they have a virus, because something is wrong. The computer is slower, you can't read floppy disks any more... These are not sure signs of infection. There could be some hardware problem (maybe your floppy drive is getting old), or it could be caused by a new software that you have installed, or even a change in configuration files.

The first step to check for virus infection is to use a reliable anti-virus program. Some industry experts recommend using two of them to find infections one program might miss. See the following list for the some of the most popular anti-virus programs available:

Anti-Virus Software

• Symantec Norton Anti-Virus
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• McAfee VirusScan
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• Trend Micro Housecall
  

Before you install any anti-virus product, be sure to follow the instructions that accompany the software very carefully. There may be steps that the software needs to have followed before installation, so that it can recover from any major problems that result from running the program (major infections may affect your computer's ability to boot, and clearing the infection may require installing certain parts of the operating system). The software manual will walk you through the process of any required steps before installing the software.

Once you have installed the anti-virus program, have it perform a complete scan of your computer for any infections currently on your machine. If any are found, follow the instructions on the screen and/or in the manual for eliminating, fixing, or quarantining infected files. Most anti-virus programs also run in the background to monitor your system for any new infections, and they can also perform scheduled scans of your system for new infections.

The anti-virus program you choose is only as good as the information it has available about the risks that are present. Be sure to update your program's virus definition files often -- we recommend daily updates if they are offered. Some services require a regular subscription to keep your program current, so if this matters to you, verify any subscription costs before you make your purchase.