It is critical to make sure that your computer is running software that protects against malicious software. Malicious software, which includes viruses, spyware, or other potentially unwanted software can try to install itself on your computer any time you connect to the Internet. It can also infect your computer when you install a program using a CD, DVD, or other removable media. Malicious software, can also be programmed to run at unexpected times, not just when it is installed.
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 offers three ways to help keep malicious software from infecting your computer:
- Using real-time protection—Real-time
protection enables Forefront Endpoint Protection to monitor your
computer all the time and alert you when malicious software,
including viruses, spyware, or other potentially unwanted software
attempts to install itself or run on your computer. Forefront
Endpoint Protection then suspends the software and enables you to
you to follow its recommendation on the software or take an
alternative action.
- Scanning options—You can use Forefront
Endpoint Protection to scan for potential threats, such as viruses,
spyware, and other malicious software that might put your computer
at risk. You can also use it to schedule scans on a regular basis
and to remove malicious software that is detected during a
scan.
- Microsoft SpyNet® community—The online
Microsoft SpyNet community helps you see how other people
respond to software that has not yet been classified for risks. You
can use this information to help you choose whether to allow this
software on your computer. In turn, if you participate, your
choices are added to the community ratings to help other people
decide what to do.