Gateway E-4500S User Guide - Page 43

Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer Protecting your computer from viruses A virus is a program that attaches itself to a file on a computer, then spreads from one computer to another. Viruses can damage data or cause your computer to malfunction. Some viruses go undetected for a period of time because they are activated on a certain date. Protect your computer from a virus by: ■ Registering your copy of Norton® Internet Security and subscribing to the virus definition update service. You received a free limited time subscription to the Norton Internet Security service when you purchased your computer. ■ Using the Norton Internet Security program to check files and programs that are attached to e-mail messages or downloaded from the Internet. ■ Checking all programs for viruses before installing them. ■ Disabling macros on suspicious Microsoft Word and Excel files. These programs will warn you if a document that you are opening contains a macro that might have a virus. ■ Periodically updating the Norton Internet Security program to protect against the latest viruses. ■ Making sure the Windows Security Center is configured to provide you with the highest level of protection. Tips & Tricks Help and Support For more information about modifying security settings, see "Modifying Security Settings" in Using Your Computer which has been included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation. For more information about protecting your computer against viruses, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword viruses in the Search box , then click the arrow. 38 www.gateway.com