Use antivirus software before you install Windows XP

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This article was previously published under Q317321

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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.

MORE INFORMATION

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/ (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 (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 (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 (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 (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 (http://www.nai.com)
McAfee Web site: http://www.mcafee.com (http://www.mcafee.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 (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 (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 (http://www.symantec.com/security_response/index.jsp)
Norton AntiVirus Technical Support: http://www.symantec.com/support (http://www.symantec.com/support)
Virus Definition Updates: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/download.html (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.