The INQUIRER guide to protecting your PC

THE DELODER WORM is the latest scare doing the rounds when it comes to PC infection. There always seems to be some nasty little idiot who wants to break or control your PC. The question is how to stop them doing it.

The very first thing you need is a virus checker. It doesn't have to cost you any money either, at least not if you're just an individual. Grisoft make something called AVG AntiVirus that is available free to home users. Businesses, as ever, have to pay but it's worth it. There are, of course, plenty of other companies that produce anti virus software.

Once you have installed the anti virus program, set a regular update time. Every anti virus program has a file of definitions which it uses to identify viruses. Updating simply downloads the latest version of that file. The file is normally a few megabytes in size but you should still update once a week even if you are using a dial-up modem.

Next, get yourself a firewall. That's a program designed to let you to control which programs access the Internet. It also stops programs such as worms attacking your PC. Again, individual home users can get a free version. ZoneAlarm is available for download, though once again businesses will have to pay for it. Once the firewall is in place, you're all set. If you're paying for a firewall, make sure that you shop around for the best one.

Lastly, sort out your passwords. The Deloder worm copies itself onto Windows machines around a network by taking advantage of poor password protection. If any of your passwords are anything like those in this Deloder information, for heaven's sake change them.

With that done, you should be well protected against all but the most determined attackers. µ

Update
The original version of this article used the word virii as the plural for virus. After a kind microbiologist wrote in to protest, a journey of discovery was embarked upon. Having been taught by a different microbiologist that virii was the plural and the viruses was a modern anglicisation, some scepticism crept in. It turns out that virus is the plural of virus, at least in Latin. The anglicised viruses is probably the most correct usage. With thanks to Adam for checking the BMJ and The Lancet.