How Often Do You Run Virus Scans On Your Computer

[lizbud]

Just wondering how often you run scans for Viruses or Adware on your
computers?

[Lady's Human]

Virus scans- AV program is running in the background at all times, and I scan the comp a minimum of once a week.

Adware/spyware is the same.

[jackie]

i try to one a week, but sometimes forget.

[Whisk_Luva]

Mine automatically runs once a week

[kittycats_delight]

always running in background and automatically once a week.

[RedHedd]

Virus scan runs automatically once a week. I also run Ad-Aware and/or SpyBot at least once a week, sometimes more often if I feel I've been hit - believe me you can feel it when a website is installing trackers - lots of disk action when you're not doing anything. Also if I've wandered onto some sketchy websites (I'm not talking porn, but some off-the-beaten track shopping sites can be strange) I always clean afterwards - no telling what those strange sites put on your computer.

Once a month I defrag and/or run disk cleanup..

[Craftlady]

Run virus scan 1x a week (automatically does it on Mondays)
Adware/Spyware = I do 1x a week
Defrag/Scan disk = I do 1x a week

[lizbud]

Virus scans- AV program is running in the background at all times, and I scan the comp a minimum of once a week.

Mine runs all the time too, but I meant to say ,when do you do manual
scans of files, registry, etc ? My pc runs virus once a week, but I prefer
to run other scans myself.

[Roxyluvsme13]

I do a virus scan daily. And I don't do Adware and Spybot scans as much as I should, thanks for reminding me.

[Blue_Frog]

I have antivirus and antispyware in the background. Sometimes ill scan a file if i've downloaded it from a site that i'm not sure of -- just as added confirmation that there isn't anything in the file that shouldn't be.

The way a good antivirus is supposed to work, is to prevent infected files from getting to your computer in the first place, so the antivirus is supposed to hook the file before the operating system does, and deal with it then (copy new file/ access file/etc). Then it can clean/delete/quarantine it -- i used to know how some of the programs worked at a higher end technical level, but its been a while since i had to actually do any program work with Norton - i'm always surprised at the amount of things i forget

Even more important than manually scanning with an AV is making sure that the program is updated -- as with spyware programs as well. The program is only as good as its most current update, and since theres always new problems out there, keeping up to date is important

[lizbud]

Even more important than manually scanning with an AV is making sure that the program is updated -- as with spyware programs as well. The program is only as good as its most current update, and since theres always new problems out there, keeping up to date is important

Very true. My anti virus updates itself automaticly. I usually chose that option with any software.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Virus scans- AV program is running in the background at all times, and I scan the comp a minimum of once a week.

Adware/spyware is the same.

Same with me. Mine is automatic every Friday night but always running in the background.

[todd]

once a week

[Alysser]

My Dad set it to automatically once a week. I also have it running in the background all the time, especially after the last virus I had. It ruined my whole laptop and now it won't even start.

[trayi52]

Mine also runs in the background, and then does a scan once a week. It updates itself every morning.

Willie