ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE & FURTHER TO SAFETY

 ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE & FURTHER TO SAFETY

You have installed Antivirus Software on your computer, such as Norton Antivirus from Symantec or Virus Scan from McAfee. Now you can relax and be virus free, right? It is wrong. Although it is a crucial line of defense, antivirus software alone does not guarantee a secure computer. To help keep your system truly secure, you need to ensure that you have the latest bug fixes, virus definition files, and security fixes for your software applications, and that you use common sense.

Download security patches and bug fixes

Fixes and patches, generally offered free of charge through the software manufacturer's Web sites, are small files that you can download to repair problems you recently encountered with a software program on your system, problems that could become a gateway for viruses and other dangers. By making updating your software a regular practice, you will help protect your computer from these types of risks.

To ensure that your Antivirus Software is working optimally, it is a good idea to visit the software manufacturer's Web site, along with the sites that are dedicated to reporting product reviews. When you see a security-related hot fix, download and install it on all computers that use that application. Be sure to check the version of the software you are running so that you can get the appropriate updates. Some programs automatically report new updates available when you start them. Also, in certain cases, some companies no longer issue bug fixes or security patches for older programs, therefore you may need to upgrade to a newer version.

Viruses often take advantage of a security vulnerability in email and in programs that use the Web browser. Therefore, as you search for security patches for all of your software, you must ensure that your Internet tools, your e-mail programs, and that your Web browsers are up to date.

Newer versions of Windows include a feature that automatically provides security patches for Outlook and the operating system. To enable automatic updates in Windows XP, go to: Start> Control Panel Settings> System. Click the Automatic Updates tab and select the box that says "Automatic." If your operating system does not support Automatic Settings, you can find updates and hot fixes on the Official Microsoft Download Page.

To download the latest fixes for Internet Explorer, you can get them in the Get It Now (page Get it now ) from Microsoft. Mozilla Firefox users can obtain the latest browser updates by clicking the Help menu item and selecting "Check for Updates."

Update the virus definition files

If you have installed the Antivirus Software according to the instructions, updating the virus definition files will be a fairly straightforward and automatic procedure. The trick is to make sure your computer is on when the updates are scheduled. If you've set your updates to take place overnight, don't turn off your computer when you leave the office. Also, make sure your internet connection is up and ready when you need it.

However, you may want to update your virus definitions before the next scheduled task is performed. This is useful when:

·        Anyone in your organization or anyone who emails you on a regular basis has received a virus.

·       If you have reason to suspect that you are infected, but the Antivirus Software does not report the presence of viruses.

·     You have heard of a new email virus that is spreading through computers around the world.

Run the antivirus manually

If you've set all the preferences as described in the Antivirus Software installation instructions, you should be pretty well protected. Your settings should provide automatic scanning of files that are identified as high risk. However, feel free to manually scan your computer, downloaded files, and other material that may make it onto your computer. This is especially necessary if you share your files on a disk in your office.

If you have disabled the automatic detection features to avoid slowing down or system conflicts, be sure to run a manual scan at least once a week. As with updates, make sure your computer is on when automatic exams are scheduled to take place.

Use common sense

Common sense is what prevents you from opening the door for burglars, even if you have a security alarm in your building. Also use it with virus protection issues:

·            If you receive an unexpected attachment from someone, even someone you know, do not open it. Check with the person who sent it to you to see if it is legitimate. And if you don't know the sender, don't bother sending a reply, as this will tell potential spammers that your email address is indeed real.

·      If you download programs or files from the Internet, make sure they come from a trusted source. Also, check programs and files for viruses before opening them.

·           Do not spread email virus alerts unless you have reviewed the sites for the latest risks and determined that the threat is indeed real. The Symantec Threat Finder Site was created as an outlet for these matters.

·             If you are attacked by a virus, warn people on your network and in your address book as soon as possible.

In the age of the Internet and other networks, it is easy for a virus to spread like fire. However, if we all practice safe computing, we can be sure that our systems will continue to function properly.