Do I already have anti-virus protection?
To see if you already have antivirius software:
1. Click Start, and then click Programs.
2. Look for the word "anti-virus." You might also see the name of a popular anti-virus manufacturer or package, including McAfee, Trend Micro, Symantec, and others.
Why is anti-virus software important?
Anti-virus software helps protect you from malicious programs, called viruses, which attach themselves to a program or file so it can spread from computer to computer. Many computers come with anti-virus software installed. You can also purchase anti-virus software and install it yourself.
By installing anti-virus software and keeping it up to date, you can help keep your computer free from these destructive programs and avoid spreading them to other computers as well.
How do I get anti-virus software?
Anti-virus software is available from several vendors. See our Anti-virus Software Vendor list.
Important: having two different anti-virus programs installed can cause problems on your computer. If you have anti-virus software installed but want to install a new product from a different company, be sure to uninstall your current product before installing the new one.
Keep your anti-virus software up to date.
Installing anti-virus software will only protect you against previous security issues. To help keep your computer safe, you need to keep your anti-virus software up to date. Most anti-virus companies offer subscription services to ensure you get the latest updates. To check if you have up-to-date software: open your anti-virus program from the Start menu or the taskbar notification area, and look for update status. If you still aren't sure if your anti-virus software is up to date, contact your anti-virus software provider. To learn more about using anti-virus software, read about Viruses and Anti-virus Software here.
Your next step toward a more secure PC
Completing the following task will better protect your PC.
