BURLINGTON, MA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/28/09 -- Conficker is just the latest in a string of worms and viruses that can attack your computer system. If you think you are safe with your antivirus and backup software, think again. Given the constant onslaught of new viruses and strains of worms, no antivirus software or backup software can guarantee 100 percent protection. Malware affects not only your files, but also your PC and peripheral settings. It could be hours, days or even weeks before you are back online again. And some of your most prized data -- photos, videos, music -- could be lost forever.

Too many people have learned this lesson the hard way. Don't be a "shoulda, coulda, woulda." Acronis, a global provider of affordable, scalable storage management and disaster recovery software, offers these tips to ensure your digital data remains accessible when you need it.

Steps to protect against virus and worms

--  Schedule regular backups - For some people, "regular" means daily. For
    others, it is once a week. Determine a schedule and then stick to it.
--  Create a bootable CD/DVD/external storage for emergencies and store
    your disk images off of your system -- you will need these to reboot in the
    event of a drive failure.
--  Restore your system or data as needed, prior to the time when you
    became infected.
    

Should you discover your PC is already infected, here are some recommendations for quick and immediate relief.

--  Run reliable antivirus software - Run your antivirus software
    regularly. Don't let it expire.
--  Look for the appropriate patches - Check online for updates and
    patches that address the problem.
--  Delete infected files - Do so as soon as you discover them.
    

Following these steps is no guarantee that you can eradicate a virus. Many of today's virus and malware applications have chameleon-like ability, re-naming themselves as valuable system files where they hide from your antivirus software and delete files, leading to both applications that don't work anymore and an unstable operating system.

Wipe your system clean

The most effective way of cleansing your system from a malware infestation is to have a clean backup image of your system and restore it to point prior to your infection. For example, Acronis True Image Home 2009 protects your PC after just one click and allows you to recover from viruses, unstable software downloads and failed hard drives. Backing up your entire system -- including your files, OS, applications, and settings -- and restoring it has never been easier.

The vast majority of systems fail at one point or another. Don't be a statistic.

About Acronis

Acronis is a global provider of storage management software that enables corporations and individuals to move, manage and maintain digital assets. Acronis sells innovative solutions for disaster recovery, server consolidation and virtualization migration, which allow users to maintain business continuity and reduce downtime in computing environments. Acronis software products are sold in more than 180 countries and are available in 13 languages. For additional information, please visit www.acronis.com or contact media@acronis.com.

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