Viruses Doing the Rounds

So which viruses are the big hitters at the moment? And have you got one?!

First of all to get a total rundown on all the viruses, new and old, their effects and cures, go to the the virus library of the Network Associates website (creators of McAfee antivrus software). It is here that you can download small applications to kill specific viruses.

Easier still, if you fear you have one of the latest nasty viruses, but are not sure which, download this file (Stinger) to your desktop and run it from there. It will attempt to clean your system from many of the worst viruses doing currently going round. This little application has been provided by McAfee, and Jentech can make no guarantees that it will clear all viruses from your system. Note also that it is not a replacement for a full and up-to-date virus protection application.

Click here to find out which viruses are the current big hitters.

Five main Steps to Total Virus Defense

Protecting your self against virus attract does not have to be a hit and miss affair. Follow our 5-point advice and you can consider yourself well protected and prepared.

The Steps

1. Buy quality Anti-virus software

This is obviously your starting point. You need highly respected anti-virus software. Don't compromise on this point. There are a number of good options, some are part of a suite. Jentech standardises on Network Associates' McAfee VirusScan for its customers, which is a very solid, highly focused, piece of reliable software for business.

2. Configure the software carefully and properly

It's no good buying top-dog anti-virus software and then failing to configure it properly; that's as good as not having any software. Where Jentech install the software, we configure the software correctly for the specific system environment. Where you are installing the software yourself, be very keen to get this part right. Essentially you have to make sure the software is configured to check for viruses at all places of entry to your computer or network, from the floppy disc drive to the internet.

3. Update the anti-virus definition file regularly

The anti-virus definition file (variously know as signature files/pattern files etc) are the part of the software which recognise the viruses. If these are not up-to-date your anti-virus software won't recognise the latest viruses and therefore you will be unprotected. The vast majority of people update via the internet, any other way really is really not effective. You can do this manually, but it is more preferable to configure your software to do this automatically while you are on the internet. For many businesses it will be the server which brings down the latest definition file and the workstations will be set to update from the server. And how often should you update? We recommend daily.

4. Keep your scan engine up-to-date

This is not the same as definition files. This is the engine of the anti-virus software itself. This is not as critical as the definition file, but if the software authors found it necessary to update the software for some reason, then you should follow suit. Again the procedure for updating the engine is the same as that for definition files. How often should you update? Once a month is probably sufficient.

5. Have a plan for when/if things go wrong.

If you carry out the above you are 99% protected, but the very latest viruses can still get through. Indeed, the anti-virus software authors usually only know that there is a new virus in the wild after someone has been infected by it. In that window of time between a new virus being released into the wild and the software authors releasing a new signature file to deal with the virus, you could become infected because your anti-virus software knows nothing about it.

What do you do if you do get infected? If your computer is still usable (and in most virus cases it is) you may be able to find and deal with the virus manually. This usually involves obtaining instructions from the anti-virus software authors or your computer support people. Sometimes an anti-virus company releases a small fix that deals with the virus before they create a definition file to deal with it. This fix runs completely independent of your anti-virus software. Note that such a fix may be available from an anti-virus company other than the one you use for your anti-virus software, so it is worth visiting the websites of other companies if your supplier does not have such a fix.

What if the virus does damage to your data files? You should plan ahead for this eventuality. If you have a disaster recovery plan in place, part of that will include a back up regime, and in the case of virus damage to files, this part of the plan will have to be effected. Read our section on Information Security Management for further information in this area.


Telephone: 01746 761 458	E-mail: enquiries@jentech.co.uk