Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a Virus?

A virus is a program that runs on your computer unbeknown to you. Its like the human kind of virus it attaches itself to the host and progressively causes it to become sicker and sicker.

Infections can be either major or minor. Some benign virus simply pop up a message every now and then on your screen while others destroy your hard drive contents.

How do they get on my computer?

The majority are spread through email. That is, someone will forward you an attachment in an email (they look like a picture, sound file or even just a Word document but in fact are executable programs). When you click on the attachment to open it the virus places files on your hard disk and can modify Windows system files and registry. Once it has done this, the next time you restart the computer, the virus takes over.

Virus can also be transmitted on floppy disks, memory sticks and even home computer networks as well as even just by visiting certain sites on the Internet.

Some forms of virus attack your email system and send infected emails to every email address in your address book, inbox and sent mail. So not only are you infected but you infect all of your friends and colleagues.

How do I protect myself?

Firstly, if you use the Internet, you MUST use a virus scanner. Rix recommends AVG Anti-Virus (see our Information page) as seems to provide the best overall system and email protection as well as regularly maintained update service. To download a free version of this program click here.

You have to regularly download the updates to protect yourself from being infected with virus. There are 300 new virus variants released each month with the majority of infections spread through email.

How do I download the updates?

When you install the anti virus software it should set up an automatic update capability where it will either remind you to update and guide you through the process or it will perform the update automatically when you are on-line.

How long does protection last?

Your protection is already out of date!! As there are so many virus created each day it is impossible to be completely immune from infection. It is the old chicken and egg situation where a virus has to be found and diagnosed before a remedy can be made for it.

Our recommendation is to update every day, in particularly before opening your email program.

What happens if I get infected?

While most virus scanners can rid infected files of common virus the more rampant types modify the Windows system registry in a way that normally requires intervention to get rid of them. In some cases the scanner cannot even delete the virus because it remains in use on the system and cannot be deleted.

Most users would find it difficult (if not dangerous to system stability) to play with the registry or booting the system in safe mode. In these examples Rix technicians can offer an on site removal service or you can simply bring your computer (just the tower) to our shop.

Emergency support is also available upon request.