Configuring Instant Messaging Protection

As instant messaging (IM) rises in popularity, it has become the new way for viruses to jump from computer to computer. Consequently, it would be nice if your antivirus program was aware of your IM activity so it could watch for any suspicious activity indicative of a virus.

System Restore can restore viruses

Starting with Windows XP Professional, Microsoft introduced a new feature in Windows that gives us another "out" in case we experience computer problems. System Restore is used to "roll back" the operating system to a known working state. System Restore only touches the operating system, not your files, so System Restore does not roll everything back, just the operating system changes.

So if your computer catches a virus, the virus will be archived in the System Restore repository, out of reach of antivirus programs. You can unwittingly set the virus free from its prison if you find that you have to restore your system to an earlier known-working state with System Restore. A virus that may have been snuffed out is suddenly alive on your computer again!

What to do? First, if you have to do a System Restore, immediately scan your entire computer for viruses, in case you brought one back from the grave. Next, refer to your antivirus program's Web site for updates, in the event that its makers figure out how to scan the System Restore repository.