If you use the Internet, your computer is vulnerable to attack from malicious programs that can harm it and put you at risk of identity theft. Antivirus software protects your computer from spyware, malware, and computer viruses that cause these malicious attacks. To activate antivirus software on your computer, you must use the CD provided to install the software onto your hard drive, register your software with the manufacturer to receive updates, perform a test run of the program, and set up your virus protection.
Before you can activate antivirus software, you must install the program on to your hard drive. When you insert the software CD, an installation wizard should pop up on your computer screen automatically. By following the instructions on the installation wizard, you will install the software on to your computer. Once it is installed, you can use the program at any time without having to insert the software CD first.
Most antivirus programs come with a product registration key. Software manufacturers use this registration key to verify that you purchased a legal copy of the program. By entering the product registration key during the installation or before using the software the first time, you activate the antivirus software with the company. Having active software ensures that you receive software updates from the manufacturer and have full access to all of the antivirus features.
Once you install and register your software, you have an active antivirus program ready for use. After you activate antivirus software, you should complete a test run to ensure that the program runs smoothly. Open the antivirus program on your computer and follow the required steps to run a full system scan. Many antivirus programs come with a tutorial that you can follow if you are unsure of how to run the software.
Completing a full scan of your computer can take several minutes and may take more than an hour in some cases. During this time, the software will scan your computer for any existing computer viruses, spyware, or malware. After the scan is completed, the program will isolate and remove any threats to your computer.
As soon as you activate antivirus software on your computer and complete a test run, you should set up your recurring virus protection. By setting up regular automatic scans and pop-up blockers, you can ensure your Internet security. Having active computer protection will help prevent malicious attacks in the future.