12/22/02 Copyright 2002, R. Kuhn

A free check of your computer, for viruses, is available from Symantec, maker of Norton AntiVirus.

These are the steps in performing this virus check:

1. Go onto the internet.

2. Open your web browser (usually Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator).

3. In the address line on your web browser type www.symantec.com and press the Enter key.

You will see the following window:

4. Click on “Home Computing”.

After clicking on “Home Computing”, you will see this window:

5. Scroll down the window to this section of the window:

6. Click on “Symantec Security Check”.

7. Click on “Scan for Viruses”.

8. The above web page will check for your computer’s ability to use the Symantec virus checking software.

9. Click “Yes” to install and run “Scan for Viruses”.

10. Click “Yes” to install and run “Virus Definitions”.

11. Your computer will now be checked for viruses.

12. The above window shows the scanning progress, the number of files scanned, and the number of files infected.

13. When the scan is complete, the scan window will show you how many files were checked and how many files are infected with a computer virus. If you use an antivirus program with updated virus definitions, or if you are lucky, there should be zero infected files. If you don’t use an antivirus program, and you are not lucky, you may have a few or hundreds of infected files. Any number greater than zero is bad.

14. If the virus scan determines that you have one or more files infected with a virus, the following steps should be taken:

a. Write down the name of the virus or viruses, as shown on the Symantec virus-check window.

b. Shut down your computer.

c. Disconnect your telephone cord or cable modem from your computer.

d. Seek professional assistance in removing the virus and all infected files from your computer. This may cost a significant amount of money. It also may result in requiring you or a paid professional person to reload your operating system and all programs.

e. Purchase and use an antivirus program such as Norton AntiVirus or McAfee VirusScan.

f. Update the virus definitions at least once per week.