How often should I update my antivirus software and scan my system

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 There's no single correct answer to these questions because it often depends on how you use your PC. Antivirus software developers frequently update their applications and signature files, so it's worth your time to check the antivirus software's site every one to two weeks for updates. If you hear about a dangerous new virus outbreak, check for emergency or priority updates right away. Many antivirus applications include an automatic updater or utility that checks the software's site for you. For example, Norton AntiVirus provides a Live-Update feature that will prompt you to download updates as they become available.
 
 As for scanning your system, most users only perform a complete system scan once when they initially install an antivirus application. After that, the antivirus application resides in system memory where it continues to scan downloads, emails, macros, and other potential sources of infection on the fly. Even so, if your antivirus software runs in memory, you should think about performing a complete system scan at least once per month, as well as when there's a major update to the software and/or if the system starts behaving strangely. If you don't run the antivirus software in memory (maybe you have a limited amount of system RAM), you'll need to perform a complete system scan much more frequently, such as once a week.