HOW YOU CAN GET INFECTED

Booting the computer from an infected hard disk, cd-rom or diskette.

Executing attached infected files (.exe, .com, .vbs, .dll, .sh, .bat , .scr, .pif and more) you may find inside emails.

Executing infected files (.exe, .com, .doc, .bat, .hlp, .htm, .ini, .js, .php, .pif, .reg, .ppt, .scr, .sh, .shs, .sys, .vbs, .wbt, .xls and more)

Previewing emails usually sent by an unknown person, because they possibly contain destructive code in the form of .html, that is automatically executed upon the email preview.

Browsing infected webpages (usually .htm and .html ).

Just by using the internet. To be more specific, almost every operating system, especially Microsoft Windows, have "security holes" which are exploited by a new type of viruses in order to infect the computer, without asking at ANY point the permission of the user to install any type of software.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Make a backup of your critical files regularly, after having scanned them with an antivirus program.

Update your antivirus program as often as possible.

Scan every file you download from the Internet.

If you use irc chat, make sure you have disabled the auto-accept-dcc-files option.

Try to have a real-time antivirus monitor while your computer is operating.

Don't visit every website you are invited to by an unknown person. It may contain a non-visible destructive applet.

Disable the execution of java or active-x scr i pts within your browser.

Unhide the hide-file-extension-of-known-filetypes option within your hard disk explorer. If someone sends you a file called pic.jpg.vbs, you may think it's a .jpg file and execute it!

Always have a boot disk for repairing your computer in case you get infected. Most antivirus programs offer this disk.

Try to use two different antivirus programs, using only one real-time monitor. It would be best if one of the 2 programs is in the top-10 antivirus programs' list you will find in the results of our LATEST Comparative test of antivirus programs. Security is not a matter of money, it's a matter of life-and-death for your computer!

Use a firewall program (we recommend Sygate Personal Firewall -it has been discontinued but you can find its latest version at "www.virus.gr/sygate.zip"- or Outpost Firewall Free or Comodo Personal Firewall or Kerio Personal Firewall, which are absolutely FREE and manage to protect efficiently any personal computer - NOT to be used in corporate network).

Use an anti-spyware program (you can find a list of good and freeware ones in the "FREE antivirus software" section of the website).

Try to update the operating system of your computer often (especially Microsoft Windows), so that all known security holes are fixed. We should mention that certain Microsoft operating systems do NOT allow the user to install updates if they have not been purchased!

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU GET INFECTED

Avoid installing an antivirus program if you are sure you have been infected by a computer virus. As a first choise, we advise you to use the "Free Antivirus Tools Collection" available in our website and remove the virus.

If your antivirus program detects the virus but cannot repair it, do NOT delete the file! Try using another antivirus program, maybe it will be able to repair the infected file. None of the antivirus programs is perfect, still, the difference among them may be huge!

Do NOT format your hard disk! Formatting is NEVER a 100% guaranteed solution in order to face a computer virus. Have patience, faith in the antivirus program you have chosen and ... a bit of good luck!