As Toven discovered, the key to warding off most attacks is simply keeping your antivirus software updated. But remembering to check for new signature files, downloading them, an d distributing them to the people who need them can be a hassle. Fortunately, most programs now remind you when signature files need to be updated, and will download the update for you from the company's Web site at the click of a button. The best, includ ing Norton AntiVirus, PC-cillin, and McAfee VirusScan, perform this job automatically as often as once a day. But an infestation such as Chernobyl may stop your PC from even starting up.
Most antivirus packages give y ou the option of making a boot disk during setup.
Some viruses can't be cleaned any other way. No single antivirus package can detect and remove every virus, so using multiple programs lessens the chance of a virus getting through. Set the primary package to scan all the time and use the second ary programs only when you need them, so they don't conflict. It's like getting a second opinion from a doctor. For instance, Melissa turns off the dialog box asking if you want to enable macros in Microsoft Word documents, so after disinfectin g you'll need to turn that feature back on to remind yourself you have that security option.