Using an antivirus program is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to protect your computer. Antivirus software monitors your computer and automatically blocks and removes computer infections, preventing them from causing damage or spreading further.

However, installing an antivirus is just the first step to securing your computer.

To get the most protection out of your antivirus, follow these ten best practices:

1. The most important step you can take is to keep the virus definitions for your antivirus current. Ideally, your antivirus automatically checks for updates, but if not, manually check once a day.

2. Do not install more than one antivirus. Having multiple antivirus products installed leads to software conflicts, which can cause system crashes and reduce antivirus protection.

3. For a constant watch over your computer, keep the “real-time” scanning feature enabled and configure it to enable every time you start your computer.

4. If you need to temporarily disable the antivirus to install trusted software, make sure that you enable it when the installation is complete and then run an “on-demand” scan of the new files.

5. Though internet downloads are the frequent culprit, even commercially distributed and shrink-wrapped software has been found with viruses. For the best defense, scan all new software.

6. Set your antivirus to perform scheduled scanning at regular intervals, ideally no less than weekly.

7. The most common way that computers get infected with viruses and worms is through email. Set your antivirus to scan both incoming and outgoing email messages.

8. Disable any features in your email program that automatically execute JavaScript, Word macros, or other executable files.

9. Regularly back up your critical files so that you’re prepared in case of a disastrous infection.

10. Supplement your antivirus with a firewall and spyware removal software.