How to Upgrade Antivirus Software
Keeping your anti-virus software updated is one of the most fundamental, yet overlooked, processes that is required to keep your PC safe from viruses, Trojans, and other assorted programs that spread across the Internet quickly and contaminate your computer. Oftentimes, anti-virus software will take on the responsibility to keep itself up-to-date with the latest "definitions" (files that contain identifying characteristics of new viruses), but sometimes the automatic updates can become interrupted for a variety of reasons. Learn what is involved to make sure your program is up-to-date and stays that way.
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Instructions
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Software Updates
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At the bottom right-hand side of the screen to the left of your desktop's clock, look for an icon that resembles the logo for your anti-virus or hover your mouse over any unfamiliar icons and note the text that pops up overhead. For example, hovering the mouse over the Microsoft Security Essentials icon will pop up text that reads, "Computer Status--Protected." Alternatively, you may have an icon on your desktop named the same as your anti-virus software. Once you've found the right icon, double-click it with the right mouse button to launch the program.
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Once open, check that your software is currently up-to-date through the status display. This display will change depending on the software installed, but most anti-virus programs will use a similar theme, such as a an Active display, to quickly show the status of their protection. If your anti-virus software shows that it is up-to-date and working, then this process is complete.
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If the anti-virus software labels its status as inactive, you may need to update. To manually update your software, look for an Update command, which may be a large button or tab. In Microsoft Security Essentials, for example, the update command is located in a tab button to the right of the "Home" tab. In Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite, you first have to click on the "Anti-virus/spyware" tab on the right side of the window, then click the update button that appears at the bottom.
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Note any warnings or information that your anti-virus software may prompt you with during the update process. If the software cannot connect with the Internet to download the updates, you may need to troubleshoot your connection and/or settings. If your software prompts you to download and install a new update to the program itself, do so immediately. Failure may interfere with downloading new updates to your anti-virus software in the future.
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Once your software is fully up-to-date, double-check that the status window shows your anti-virus as running and updated.
Anti-Virus Upgrades
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Anti-virus programs also may become outdated and need to be upgraded. Many anti-virus programs will notified you if they become outdated and ask you to perform a software upgrade. Even if you are fully up-to-date on your anti-virus updates, you may want to keep the software itself fully updated to the latest version, so allow your software to automatically update.
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If you require or prefer to manually update the anti-virus software, open your Internet browser and navigate to the home page of the company that produced your software.
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Look for a "Downloads" section on the manufacturer's website and click the link.
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Find the product that matches what you already have installed, such as if you have a simple anti-virus program as opposed to a complete Internet security suite version, and run the program that is downloaded to your computer.
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If you are going from one company's anti-virus program to another, i.e. upgrading to the latest version of Norton Anti-Virus instead of the AVG software you're already running, then uninstall your old anti-virus software before installing the new one. This step is not necessary if you are merely upgrading the same software to a new version.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you check the status of your anti-virus software at least once a month. Falling behind on even one update can mean the difference between a smooth running system and one that is bogged down with viruses, Trojans and spyware.
If you find that you cannot properly update your anti-virus software, try uninstalling and then re-installing the software. Disconnect your PC from the Internet during this process until the software has been re-installed.
Get into the habit of carefully reading any and all messages that your anti-virus software may prompt you with. Dismissing any messages without reading them may leave your PC open to infection.
