Check out the stickies below for lots of info & links to AV & security programs. As well as an AV (Antivir PE), I use Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, PeerGuardian2 & AVG Antispyware (formerly Ewido). Of course, everyone uses different things

WARNING: Viruses on the network you should be aware of

http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showthread.php?t=58603

Make sure that you scan downloaded files before you open them.

Thanks so much for your help, birdy! The stickies helped out a lot and I have also started downloading a few of the recommended programs. Will these programs automatically check for viruses, or will I need to run them manually everytime I use limewire? Also- How do you scan files before downloading them? I understand about checking the size, but are there more ways to make sure that a file does not contain a virus besides that? if so, how do you do that?
again, thanks for your help!
-penelope07

You can't scan a file before you download it. You'll have to download the file, then scan before you open it. To open your saved folder outside of LW, go to your LW library, click on saved files then click explore...folder opens. Now right click on the file you've downloaded & you should see the option to "scan with". You should see the name of your AV program, choose to scan with that. If you've installed AVG Antispyware, you'll also be able to scan with that from your saved folder, if you want to.

AFAIK you'll have to manually scan with Ad-Aware, Spybot etc (unless I've been missing a trick somewhere). You can schedule most AVs to scan your computer at a certain time each day.

Just remember to keep everything updated

How do you insure yourself against getting malware. e.g. virus, worm, Trojan, spyware, adware, hi-jacked, keylogger, etc.

Well, apart from a good virus checker you will need a good dose of common sense and gaining the knowledge needed to survive the pitfalls by reading about other users' experiences.

For example, many forum members, including myself, advise other users to stay away from zipped or compressed files, do not download programs or files that can run, exclude all files under 1MB in size (i.e. anything that can fit on a 3.5 inch floppy disc) and always virus check the files you download before you use them.

Always keep you virus scanner up to date with the latest virus definitions, keep your windows O/S up to date with MS's security updates, and if you have any other security apps keep them updated as well.

However, like life, there are no guarantees but you can prepare for and defend yourself from a potential attack from a deceptively hostile environment.




UK Bob