During installation, most antivirus programs
ask whether you want to run a complete scan of your system for
viruses before proceeding.
After installation is complete, you usually can
invoke this same complete system scanning, either by launching the
antivirus software program and initiating a scan manually, or by
right clicking on something in Windows Explorer and choosing the
scan for viruses or equivalent command.
This procedure often is called scanning on
demand and, as the name implies, its fatal flaw is that it requires
you to demand a virus scan before the antivirus software is called
into action.
Automated Virus Scanning
Many antivirus software programs also have
built-in scheduling mechanisms. This allows you, for example, to
schedule a full system scanning to occur after hours.
These antivirus methods do work, but they rely
on your remembering to scan for viruses.
As we’ve seen throughout this book,
automation is the cornerstone of any successful systems
implementation. Nothing personal, but relying on manual intervention
is a very dicey proposition, even under the best circumstances.
Antivirus Software in Its Proactive Mode
If you’re working with dozens of Microsoft
Word and Microsoft Excel files each day, you probably won’t want
to stop every time you open a file and run a virus scan
manually before opening that file. Fortunately, there is a
better way.
Antivirus software programs generally load in
an active, enabled or resident mode when you boot up, and continue
to run in the background, waiting for the opportunity to scan for
viruses. This kind of operation is what allows you to be proactive
about virus scanning.
Icon on the Windows Taskbar for Virus Scanning
An active antivirus software program normally
will appear as an icon on your Windows Taskbar. And, just as you can
with any icon on the Windows Taskbar, hovering on top of the
antivirus software program icon will produce a little yellow popup
ScreenTip telling you the name of the program.
It’s extremely important for your
antivirus program to appear on the Windows Taskbar as enabled,
active or resident status. In fact, this mission-critical feature is
what allows your antivirus software program automatically to
intercept, red flag and block an infected file you are about to open
from infiltrating your system. The only time antivirus software
should be disabled is when you’ve explicitly been told to disable
the antivirus software, such as when you are installing new
software.
Virus Scanning Action Items
Do you know how to tell whether your
antivirus software is running, also known as active or enabled?
Does your antivirus software program place
an icon on the Microsoft Windows Taskbar?
Do you know how to manually enable and
disable your antivirus software from running in its proactive mode?
Do you have any automated virus scanning
jobs that run after hours?
Can you describe what options are available
within your antivirus software program to run a scan on demand if
you suspect a virus infection?
|
