Some guides:

1)Keep records of your valuable work to non magnetic sources

2)Do not open emails that contain attachments from strangers

3)Do not be so confident to antivirus programs, they need always to be updated

4)Do not download from 'gray zones' of internet

5)If things go bad and if you use Windows remember always to go back to a good system configuration.

Situation is not so hard ...

I am still searching for the really good antivirus...

I am using Quick Heal Antivirus for 4 years and found it to be very effective.

I use Avast for some time, but I've seen that has flaws like any other. I used AVG before him. I also use Microsoft Security Essential on one of my computers.

The real solution ... adopt an operating system immune to viruses!

Thanks Darasingh. I will remember to ask the vendor...

All my friends used Avast Free on our office PCs. I preferred AVG free. But it caught 'too many threats' but somehow didn't destroy them :(

So my technician changed back to Avast free :(

Most of the time I use my own laptop even in the office.

Hi Miranda

At home I use AVG for more than 5 years and I've never experienced any problems. It does seem to be quite effective. At my University we use Kaspersky and serious problems were always very rare. They both seem to work well.

Cheers,

JP

I think along with antivirus software, you should refresh your PC regularly one or twice a year.

Three simple steps to limit the choice of infection:

1. Don't download unknown attachments to emails.

2. Download executable files from trusted sites only but check the files anyway with your AV program of choice.

3. Run USB Disk Security software to prevent infections from peripheral devices.

But be aware, nothing is 100% secure in our world.

Computer viruses have become an ongoing nightmare, especially when using email.

Some basic rules to help protect yourself from computer viruses:

• Install in your computer a reliable antivirus.

• Update your Antivirus systematically.

• Analyze with an Antivirus software updated , any email before opening.

• Always analyze with Antivirus software before opening files or copy.

• Never run a program of unknown provenance .

• Install software updates .

• Never open attachments to an email message with .exe , .vbs, .pif , .bat.

• Ensure that the attachment is has not double extension.

• Avoid email exchange files with jokes, pictures or photographs.

• Visit with some frequency sites offering information on the latest viruses.

• Make a backup of your computer data.

• Subscribe to a service email notification of new viruses.

• Be suspicious of emails unsolicited that offer the opportunity to exchange music download software , antivirus programs or photographs.

Dear friends, thanks for advice.

@Vijay, I haven't heard of refreshing a PC. Is this done by the vendor? Please give some info, thanks.

I have class now 1100, but will be back.

It is a trouble shooting utility in WIndows 7 and 8. It refreshes your PC as if it is newly installed. No user data is lost in the process.

It removes any infection hidden in OS files.

It is very good utility to self-defense of the computer without losing your data.

Most common time of virus transfer is during file exchange, either online or offline.

During offline transfer while using USB disc for file transfer should be done with extra care. Don't open any unwanted folder shown in the USB disc (it might be a Trojan or Virus).

During online transfer, don't download any software from un-trusted websites. Many times you will find the size of file you are downloading is abnormal i.e it either appears to be very smaller/larger than actual size which it should be, in that case be alert! It might not be the actual file you are searching for!

While browsing also, be careful, don't click on unwanted links/spams it will automatically download virus in your system and even your anti-virus will not alert you about it. (Boot time scan is the option for removing these viruses)

Using Anti-virus protects your system to some extent but careful handling of files and discs while data transferring will help you a lot.

I have said it with my experience, Because I had used my system 3yrs without any anti-virus. :-)

Regards,

Nitish

According to the vendor, it was already good enough that my laptop was attacked after 10 months. But it's not so, I can't agree. Such a lot of time to customize it again...

Thanks Patrick et al. Nearly all my students have had Trojans covering up their files! I will have to be even more careful. Sad :(

All my computers are installed with Deep Freeze since 2 years ago. Since then I did not encounter any trouble about viruses. For internet users, I believe Deep Freeze would be advisable.

Dear Miranda Yeoh,

fortunately, we do not have this problem until now. A professional stuff takes care of all spams and virus- Mails at a Center-Unit, while the local IT-expert do additional scans and keep firewalls up to date. Software is distributed via those local experts.

Individual solutions might be good for home offices, but not for a Campus or Research Institute.

All the best

F.

Thank you Ed, Frank et al., as Michael said, 'nothing is 100% secure in our world'.

Just do my best each day.

Some guides:

1)Keep records of your valuable work to non magnetic sources

2)Do not open emails that contain attachments from strangers

3)Do not be so confident to antivirus programs, they need always to be updated

4)Do not download from 'gray zones' of internet

5)If things go bad and if you use Windows remember always to go back to a good system configuration.

Situation is not so hard ...

Thanks Demetris. I do download whatever I need for my research only.

Dear Miranda, the main problems, on my experience, come from unusual or suspicious files on the mail as well as from external disks. Anti-virus systems are more effective when the PC is used by a single person and need to be constantly updated. However, I think that no one is completely immune from accidents resulting from infection of the software; experience and various devices can limit but not completely avoid the problem.

Ierardi et al., thanks :))

I think it's the computers in the lecture halls and the cooperative sundry shop that does mass printing and photocopying for students, that are the sources of viruses. I always scan pen drives first. My desktop with AVG free already showed that there were 16 threats arrested the past month, and I took a photograph of the screen with this message. It also showed that something was wrong with RUNDLL. But the computer technician installed Avast free instead. Is RUNDLL a critically important file? Please tell me about this.

Now I use a CDR to store lectures; no more pen-drives. And I use my own laptop most of the time in the office. It's installed with Avast internet security. It's about all I can find in this little 'town'.

Frank is right in saying that professional organizations (universities, institutes, NGOs, etc.) need professional staff to take care of the network. I can also tell that I've never had a virus problem during my more than 10 years here on campus. I've seen quite a few suspicious emails being sent to the vault, though.

At home I use the recommendations given above and AVG with auto-update of virus signature files. This is the first software I install on any new system.

@Miranda, the USB Disk Security software would warn you of viruses on USB sticks (even from copy shop or lab room infections). It's just a click to get rid of the screen if it didn't find anything on your USB stick.

Thanks Michael, I will look for the USB disk security.

I think the prevalent virus is the shortcut virus that covers up my files. Any experience with this virus? I have to do my best to be independent, knowing that I'm not one of the important persons in this organisation.

@Miranda and colleagues, I do use NOD32 - ESET and I have never had a problem with viruses and malware. There were many suggestion how to avoid it ! Just one should be very careful!

I get crazy when Synametrics that is used as a spam defender defends a regular mail to come to my mailbox! Here what happens very often and I have to do anger management!!!!

Dear friends, thanks for your answers and suggestions. Yesterday, I asked the vendor about USB security, Deep Freeze etc, but he doesn't have them. What he has is just Panda, Avast Internet Security.

One thing I wonder about is why buying an antivirus online is usually a lot more expensive. From the vendors, we can sometimes get a 3-user package for Avast Internet Security. Any thoughts about this?

@Ljubomir, I'm sure you have a Gmail account for your non-secret messages (otherwise the NSA is spying on your secrets anyway) ;). You could forward all your mails from your institutional account to gmail.In the many years I've used Gmail I had never got a spam mail in the inbox and only twice got mail falsely put into the spam folder - or was it only once?

Thanks Ljubomir, Demetris, Kamal, Michael, Patrick et al. for your valuable advice on this thread. When I was very busy 'replying' comments from reviewers, or analyzing data or writing up a research report, I tend to forget to update the antivirus. I think I forgot to do this for about 5 days, and the next thing I knew was my PC was infected.

I constantly sync my dropbox folder (currently at 20gb). I put important academic and personal files in that folder so no matter where I am, I can easily access them. I am using Avast for virus protection, which is updated everyday and so far, I am not infected by viruses and malwares (I am using free Avast for almost 5 years now). I also use firewall to block malicious attacks on my PC. I recommend the firewall software made by ZoneAlarm which is free.

@Jovale, my computer technician wasn't happy that I complained about threats that AVG free detected. He removed it and installed Avast Free. I always hear the update message from Avast every morning. It seems fine, but I was afraid. So I reinstalled AVG free, it was the 2014 version. 77 threats were detected and neutralized!

I will look for the Zone Alarm. [Here, I'm doing frugal science; only some folks on RG will understand...]

Dear Miranda. I'm very happy with the purchased version of AVG and its complemente AVG PC Tune up. They're both very reliable and never ever caused me any problems and absolutely all threats that were detected (and some of those were really bad).

You have lots of purchase possibilities that range from a very wide download options and can be used in several PCs and other devices.

Best of luck and congratulations for your work and extremely imporant questions that you've been sharing with us.

Cheers,

JP

Thanks Joao. You are very kind :)

Please share your views on other questions that I have put up. Thanks.