Gateway E-6500 - Manual (Page 49)

44 www.gateway.com
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
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.
Help and Support
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.
8510809.book Page 44 Monday, June 13, 2005 7:29 AM