How to Run a Full System Scan in Norton Internet Security

Running a quick scan of your computer’s hard drive using Norton Internet Security will check only the directories on your computer where viruses are most likely to be. While these quick scans are capable of weeding out a lot of threats and getting them off your machine, you can’t expect a quick scan to find every last piece of malicious software on your hard drive. Performing a full system scan of your computer in Norton Internet Security is the only way to be completely sure that your computer and the content contained on it is safe.

Step 1

Open the Norton Internet Security software on your computer. You can accomplish this by using either the shortcut icon that was created on your desktop during the original Norton Internet Security installation or by clicking on the icon in the “Norton” folder of your computer’s “Start” menu.

Step 2

Click one time on the button labeled “Scan Now” in the center of the Norton Internet Security program window. A new section detailing a list of options related to the scanning of your computer will expand across the middle portion of the window.

Step 3

Select the option reading “Full System Scan.” Norton Internet Security will immediately begin scanning your computer for viruses, spyware and all other types of malicious programs.

Step 4

Use the drop down menu labeled “On scan completion” to tell Norton Internet Security what to do when the scan completes. You can choose to have your computer remain powered on or have it automatically shut itself down based on your preferences.

Step 5

Wait patiently for Norton Internet Security’s full system scan to complete. Depending on both the overall speed of your computer and the total number of files on your hard drive, this could take an hour or more. Any viruses that the program identifies will be automatically quarantined from the rest of the files on your hard drive and deleted for the maximum safety of your machine.

How to Perform a Full System Scan in McAfee Total Protection

It’s always important to perform a full scan of your computer system for viruses and other malware types on a frequent basis. Doing so checks every last file on your computer for traces of malicious software. McAfee Total Protection will quarantine any infected files that it finds, which also prevents those files from being executed. You can then go on using your computer worry-free, comforted by the knowledge that all of your personal documents and files are as safe and secure as they can possibly be.

Step 1

Open the main McAfee Total Protection interface on your computer. When the program was originally installed and set up, an icon labeled “McAfee Total Protection” was placed on your desktop. Double click this icon to run the program.

Step 2

Click on the section of the screen labeled “Updates” to run a check for new program and virus definitions. You never want to run a full system scan without the latest virus definitions, as doing so could potentially allow viruses to slip through the cracks. Wait for the “Updates” status on the main McAfee Total Protection” screen to read “Current” before you continue.

Step 3

Click the section of the screen reading “Real-time scanning.” A new list of options will fill the right side of the McAfee Total Protection window.

Step 4

Click “Scan your PC.” When the new “Scan your PC” section of the program window loads, click “Run a full scan.” McAfee Total Protection will now begin to scan all of the files and folders on your computer for viruses. You can track the progress of the scan using the constantly updating boxes of information on screen. Any threats that are identified will be listed in the main window. You can also see how much information in gigabytes has been checked, along with how many individual files have been a part of the scan.

When the scan finishes, close the McAfee Total Protection window to return to your computer’s desktop.

How to Use a Proxy Network on Your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

A proxy network or server is a very specific type of connection used when two or more devices communicate with each other over the Internet. Proxy networks have a variety of different uses, like keeping the computers or devices involved anonymous and bypassing certain filters that an Internet service provider has put into place. While using a proxy network or server on a computer is commonplace at this point, many people may not realize that you can also use a proxy connection on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad as well. You just have to know where on your device you need to enter the specific information to get the connection up and running.

Step 1

Open the “Settings” menu on your Apple device and select “Wi-Fi.” This is the same process you would go through if you were trying to connect to a wireless network under normal circumstances.

Step 2

Tap the blue arrow to the right of the network that you’re connected to. Don’t just tap on the name, as doing so will only confirm that you’re connected to that network. Tapping on the name of a network that you’re not connected to will connect with it, so make sure you’re tapping the blue arrow.

Step 3

Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see the “HTTP Proxy” section. The word “Off” will be highlighted. Tap the word “Manual” to turn on the proxy capabilities of your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad.

Step 4

Enter your proxy information into the boxes that are now on screen. You will need to specify the exact server of the proxy you’re trying to use as well as the port your device needs access to. If you want to turn on the authentication features of your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad you can do so by tapping the “On” button next to “Authentication.”

Step 5

Tap the “Wi-Fi Networks” button in the top-left corner of the screen. Doing so will return you to the previous page. Your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad will now connect to the network you have specified through the proxy server that you have chosen in the previous steps.

How to Enable the E-Mail Shield in Avast Free Antivirus

One of the many features offered to all users of the Avast Free Antivirus software is a fully functional e-mail shield. When enabled, the program will scan all incoming messages and outgoing messages for viruses and other types of malware that may be hiding as attachments. You can both enable and configure this feature at any time using tools already available to you in the main Avast Free Antivirus program window. No additional software downloads are required to get this feature off the ground.

Step 1

Open the Avast Free Antivirus software on your computer using the exact same steps you would if you were changing program settings or scanning your hard drive for threats.

Step 2

Click one time on the button on the left side of the Avast window labeled “Real-Time Shields.” A series of options, all related to the real-time protection capabilities of the software, will expand and fill the area of the screen beneath this button.

Step 3

Click the button labeled “Mail Shield” to view the settings related to the e-mail scanning functionality of Avast Free Antivirus.

Step 4

Locate the section of the screen labeled “Settings.” Check two boxes in this section of the screen. The boxes will be labeled “Scan inbound messages” and “Scan outbound messages.” Avast will immediately start scanning all messages both sent and received through your mail client. The status listed in the “Protection Status” section of the window at the top of the screen will now read “Running.”

Step 5

Click the button labeled “Expert Status” to change more preferences related to the Avast e-mail shield. You can choose what specific types of e-mail accounts to scan (like POP3, IMAP4 and more) and all specify the exact behavior of the scanner. Make any changes that you’d like and click the “OK” button at the bottom of the window so that those changes can go into effect immediately.

How to Check on the Status of Your Norton Subscription

Purchasing any Norton program, like Norton Antivirus or Norton Internet Security, also requires you to purchase a subscription plan. The subscription allows you to receive constant virus definition and security updates for your software. You are also entitled to bug fixes and other upgrades to the program that are released during the duration of your subscription. You can check on the status of your subscription and see when it expires in just a few short moments using your actual Norton program and an Internet browser.

Step 1

Open any Norton product that you have on your computer. Norton programs like Norton Antivirus, Norton 360 and Norton Internet Security all allow users to check the status of their Norton subscriptions right from the main program window. As all Norton products are laid out in very similar ways, the process for checking your subscription status across all programs is almost identical.

Step 2

Click the menu labeled “Support” in the main screen of your Norton product. On the vast majority of all Norton products this menu will be located in the upper right corner of the screen.

Step 3

Select the option from the menu reading “Check Subscription Status.” A new window will automatically open on screen.

Step 4

Wait a few seconds while your Norton program uses your computer’s Internet connection to check on the status of your Norton subscription. You can track the progress of this process using the window on screen.

Step 5

Look at the bold letters in the middle of the screen. After the subscription status check is complete, the total days remaining on your subscription will be presented in bold print in the center portion of the window. Once you have the information you need, click the yellow button labeled “Finish” to close the “Subscription” window and return to the main menu of your Norton product.

How to Enable the AutoSandbox in Avast Free Antivirus

The AutoSandbox is a feature of Avast’s free antivirus software that relates to malicious programs. Any program that is thought by Avast to be malicious will be placed into the AutoSandbox as it tries to start on your machine. Avast will then closely monitor that program and prevent it from doing any damage to your system. The AutoSandbox mode can be a great benefit and will help prevent you from accidentally launching a program that turns out to be a computer virus. You can enable the AutoSandbox in Avast by selecting a very specific option.

Step 1

Open the main Avast program window and select the button labeled “Additional Protection” from the column on the left side of the screen. The two options immediately below this button will be labeled “AutoSandbox” and “Site Blocking.” Click one time on the option reading “AutoSandbox” to continue.

Step 2

Click the button labeled “Settings” from the window on screen. A new window relating only to the settings of the AutoSandbox feature will open on your monitor.

Step 3

Check the box labeled “Enable AutoSandbox” to enable sandbox protection on your computer. If you would like the Avast program to alert you when a piece of software is about to enter the sandbox protection mode, click the “AutoSandbox mode” drop down menu and select the option reading “Ask.” If you would like Avast to automatically run all suspicious software through this level of protection, click the “AutoSandbox mode” drop down menu and click “Auto.”

Step 4

Make any selections you want in the section of the screen labeled “Reasons for AutoSandboxing.” These selections will affect the types of programs that enter into this heightened level of protection. You can choose from selections like “Suspicious context,” “The file origin is suspicious,” “Static analysis finds the file suspicious” and more.

Step 5

If you have a program that you don’t want Avast to run in AutoSandbox mode, enter that program into the section at the bottom of the screen. Click the button labeled “Add” and choose the program’s shortcut icon from your hard drive. Adding a program to this section may be necessary if you know a particular piece of software is legitimate but Avast keeps flagging it as dangerous anyway.

How to Update Your Virus Definitions in McAfee Total Protection

The importance of having updated virus definitions cannot be overstated enough. A program like McAfee Total Protection doesn’t just use these definitions during scans of your hard drive, but it also uses them as you browse the Internet under regular conditions as well. Having outdated virus definitions may cause the program to miss a malicious website containing spyware or other types of malware, which can then infect your computer. Updating your virus definitions in McAfee Total Protection will only take a few short moments of your time.

Step 1

Verify that the McAfee Total Protection software is running on your computer. A small “M” icon appears in the system tray of your computer’s taskbar whenever the program is running. If the “M” icon is not present in this location, use either the McAfee desktop icon or the McAfee “Start” menu icon to load the program. If the icon does appear in the system tray, double click on it to open the main McAfee Total Protection program window.

Step 2

Click once on the tab labeled “Home” on the left side of the screen. A series of general options in regards to the program will open in the main program window.

Step 3

Click the option labeled “Update” directly beneath the “Protection Status” option. Both of these options are located in the “Home” section of the window on screen.

Step 4

Click the button labeled “Update” in the main portion of the window. McAfee Total Protection will now use your Internet connection to download any virus definition updates that are available. You will receive a message indicating the completion of the process once the updated definitions have downloaded and installed. Performing a full system scan of your computer now that the definitions have been updated will result in a much more accurate and thorough search of your hard drive for viruses and other types of malicious software.

How to Manage Your Internet Security Settings in Internet Explorer

You should never just assume that the default Internet security settings of a particular browser are going to keep you protected. There is a seemingly endless number of ways that you can pick up a virus or another type of malware on the Internet, so it’s always a good idea to be as prepared as possible. The Internet Explorer Web browser gives users the ability to tweak the default Internet security settings to match their needs. You can make any changes you want in just a few quick steps.

Step 1

Open a new instance of the Internet Explorer Web browser on your computer.

Step 2

Open the “Tools” menu from the top of Internet Explorer. Click the option labeled “Internet Options” to load a new window. Note that you can also access the same screen by selecting the icon labeled “Internet Options” in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel.

Step 3

Click the tab labeled “Security.” Use the vertical slider bar to select a “Security Level” for your browser. By default, the security level will be set to “Medium-high.” You will be prompted before you download any content and Internet Explorer will not download unsigned ActiveX controls. Moving the slider upwards to the level “High” puts maximum security safeguards in place, while moving the slider downwards to the level “Medium” removes a majority of the safeguards of the other levels.

Step 4

Click the button labeled “Restricted Sites” at the top of the page. Click the button labeled “Sites” that appears. Use the window that opens to add the URL addresses of any site that you want to have Internet Explorer restrict access to. Your security level will switch to “High” anytime your computer tries to access one of the sites that you specify.

Step 5

Click the button labeled “Custom Level” to specify your own security settings level. You can choose exactly how the Internet Explorer handles content like loose XAML, XAML browser applications, XPS documents and more. If you open the window and don’t have experience with any of the listed terms it is recommended that you do not change anything in this screen. Doing so could potentially make it more difficult for you to use the Internet Explorer browser.