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the security software trial offer or purchase the software of your choice in order to fully protect your
computer.
Using antivirus software
Computer viruses can disable programs, utilities, or the operating system, or cause them to function
abnormally. Antivirus software can detect most viruses, destroy them, and in most cases, repair any
damage they have caused.
To provide ongoing protection against newly discovered viruses, antivirus software must be kept up to
date.
An antivirus program may be preinstalled on your computer. It is strongly recommended that you use
the antivirus program of your choice in order to fully protect your computer.
For more information about computer viruses, from the Start screen, type h, and then select Help
and Support.
Using firewall software
Firewalls are designed to prevent unauthorized access to a system or network. A firewall can be
software you install on your computer and/or network, or it can be a combination of both hardware
and software.
There are two types of firewalls to consider:
●
Host-based firewalls—Software that protects only the computer it is installed on.
● Network-based firewalls—Installed between your DSL or cable modem and your home network
to protect all the computers on the network.
When a firewall is installed on a system, all data sent to and from the system is monitored and
compared with a set of user-defined security criteria. Any data that does not meet those criteria is
blocked.
Installing software updates
HP, Microsoft Windows, and third-party software installed on your computer should be regularly
updated to correct security problems and improve software performance. For more information, see
Updating programs and drivers on page 51.
Installing Windows updates
Updates to the operating system and other software may have become available after the computer
left the factory. Microsoft sends out alerts regarding critical updates. To protect the computer from
security breaches and computer viruses, install all critical updates from Microsoft as soon as you
receive an alert.
To be sure that all available updates are installed on the computer, observe these guidelines:
●
Run Windows Update as soon as possible after you set up your computer. From the Start
screen, type update, select Settings, and then select Windows Update.
●
Run Windows Update monthly thereafter.
●
Obtain updates to Windows and other Microsoft programs, as they are released, from the
Microsoft website and through the updates link in Help and Support.
56 Chapter 9 Securing your computer and information