Microsoft KB Archive/317321

= Use antivirus software before you install Windows XP =

Article ID: 317321

Article Last Modified on 11/5/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

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This article was previously published under Q317321



SUMMARY
Microsoft highly recommends that you use antivirus software before you upgrade your operating system to Windows XP. Antivirus software scans your computer to detect and to fix computer viruses. By taking these preventive measures, you can avoid virus-related problems during your Windows XP upgrade.

This article describes how antivirus software works and includes links to the Web sites of antivirus software vendors.



How Antivirus Software Works
When you use e-mail programs or browse the Internet, you subject your computer to viruses. A virus can infect your computer when you do something as harmless as clicking a file attachment in an e-mail message that is sent from someone on an infected computer. The more that you use your computer for communication, whether this communication is through the Internet, through e-mail, or through file sharing, the more susceptible your computer is to viruses and virus-related problems.

Protect your computer and your contacts by using antivirus software before you upgrade to Windows XP. Antivirus software detects, fixes, and prevents viruses from spreading to and from your computer. Antivirus software searches for latent viruses on your computer, including viruses that may have spread to your system without your knowledge. The software can also install antivirus fixes on your computer, which protect your system from future infection and prevent it from inadvertently spreading viruses to other computers.

Unfortunately, some computer viruses are not discovered until you try to upgrade or to modify your software. Therefore, we recommend that you use antivirus software proactively before you install Windows XP.

McAfee.com Corporation
McAfee offers a free virus scan with VirusScan Online to all users who upgrade to Windows XP. Microsoft highly recommends that you run this virus scan or another virus scan before you install Windows XP.

McAfee.com VirusScan Online

http://www.mcafee.com/us/

McAfee.com Corporate Headquarters:

McAfee.com

535 Oakmead Parkway

Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Telephone: (408) 992-8100

Fax: (408) 720-8450

Customer Service: (888) 622 3331

McAfee Web site: http://www.mcafee.com

Antivirus Products for Windows XP Users:

VirusScan Online

Personal Firewall

Network Associates, Inc.
You can download Network Associates antivirus software from the following Network Associates Web site:

http://www.nai.com

The Network Associates Virus Library is available at the following Network Associates Web site:

http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.aspx

For virus prevention tips, a virus calendar, a virus glossary, and other information, refer to the following McAfee Avert Lab Web site:

http://www.mcafee.com/us/threat_center/default.asp

Network Associates Corporate Headquarters:

Network Associates, Inc.

3965 Freedom Circle

Santa Clara, CA 95054

Telephone: (408) 988-3832

Fax: (408) 970-9727

Customer Service: (888) 622 3331

Network Associates Web site: http://www.nai.com

McAfee Web site: http://www.mcafee.com

Dr. Solomon Web site: http://www.drsolomon.com

Antivirus Products:

McAfee VirusScan

Dr. Solomon's Virex for the Macintosh

Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus for Workstations

Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus for Server

NetShield for NT

GroupShield Exchange

Symantec Corporation
Symantec offers a free tool to repair the SirCam virus. You can download this tool from the following Symantec Web site:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sircam.worm@mm.html

Symantec offers a free tool named Symantec Security Check to test how susceptible your system is to security and virus threats. You can download this tool from the following Symantec Web site:

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp

Symantec Corporate Headquarters:

Symantec

20330 Stevens Creek Blvd

Cupertino, CA 95014-2132

Telephone: (408) 517-8000

Fax: (408) 517-8186

Customer Service: (800) 441-7234

Consumer Technical Support: (800) 927-3991 or (900) 646-0007

Enterprise Technical Support: (800) 927-4017 or (900) 646-0003

Macintosh Technical Support: (800) 745-6036 or (900) 646-0034

Virus Removal Consulting Service: (877) 832-2811 or (900) 646-0004

Symantec AntiVirus Research Center: http://www.symantec.com/security_response/index.jsp

Norton AntiVirus Technical Support: http://www.symantec.com/techsupp

Virus Definition Updates: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/download.html

Antivirus Products for Desktop and Server:

Norton AntiVirus 5.0 for OS/2

Norton AntiVirus 7.0 for Macintosh (Desktop)

Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition 7.5 for NetWare

Norton AntiVirus Plus for Tivoli Enterprise and IT Director

Symantec System Center

Symantec AntiVirus Command Line Scanner 1.0

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Additional query words: anti-virus

Keywords: kb3rdparty kbenv kbinfo KB317321

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