Anti-Virus Software Antivirus software helps protect your computer against most viruses, worms, Trojans, and other unwanted invaders that can make your computer "sick." If it finds any, it kills them, sometimes even attempting to repair damaged files. A good antivirus program can be configured to scan your incoming and outgoing emails, downloaded files, and any floppy disks or CDs that are inserted into your PC. Many computers come with antivirus software installed. You can also purchase antivirus software and install it yourself. How Antivirus Software Works Antivirus programs work by storing a database of known viruses' digital fingerprints, called patterns or definitions. The programs automatically download new patterns when they're available from the manufacturer. If your antivirus software requires you to manually check for updates, do so often--at least once a week. Where to get Antivirus software Antivirus software is available from several vendors, including: McAfee Security Microsoft list of AV vendors ICSA Labs Certified Products for Detection