To make sure that Windows 7 is as secure as it can be, you're going to need an anti-virus program.
If you're moving from XP to Windows 7, you'll have to get and install a new one. In theory, you can move from Vista to Windows 7 without installing a new program. Don't. Anti-virus software tends to be cranky about change at the best of times -- as well as it should! -- so plan on installing a new anti-viral program right after you finish upgrading.
Which program? Well, while there are many good free anti-viral programs, you can't just grab one and assume it will work on your updated, or your brand new Windows 7 PC for that matter.
So, instead of just grabbing an old favorite for your Windows 7 box, check out Microsoft's listing of Windows 7 anti-virus partners for companies that have already done some work in making sure their programs will work with Windows 7.
You can also check specific programs for Windows 7 compatibility with the Windows 7 Compatibility Center. As you search through this very useful site, you're going to quickly see that only the most recent versions of programs are certified to work with Windows 7 and that many of them are blessed only to work with 32-bit Windows 7 systems. So, if you're running Windows 7 on a newer, 64-bit system, like those powered by Intel Core 2 or Pentium Dual Core processors, you're likely to need to look harder for compatibile anti-viral software.
Today's Tip was adapted from Safe-Guarding Windows 7 by Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols.
_______________
Want to cash in on your IT savvy? Send your tip to tips@itworld.com. If we post it, we'll send you a $25 Amazon e-gift card.
Sign up for ITworld's Daily newsletter
Follow ITworld on Twitter @IT_world
Esther Schindler
If the comments are ugly, the code is ugly
claird
SVG a graphics format for 21st century
pasmith
Take Chrome OS for a test spin
Sandra Henry-Stocker
Solaris Tip: Have Your Files Changed Since Installation?
jfruh
Android fragments vs. the iPhone monolith
mikelgan
What Gizmodo missed about the Pro WX Wireless USB disk drive
Sidekick: The Good News & the Bad News
Either way you look at it Microsoft Data Center management did not follow standards or best practices in this failure. In which case it makes me wonder more about the outsourcing of corporate data much less personal data.
- mburton325
Join the conversation here
Quick, practical advice for IT pros. Made fresh daily.
Want to cash in on your IT savvy? Send your tip to tips@itworld.com. If we post it, we'll send you a $25 Amazon e-gift card.
