Virus Protection Tips
All kind of virus are rampant today on the internet. For our valued customers, we have developed state-of-the-art technology to prevent viruses from reaching them. In addition, we have prepared this guide to help you understand your contribution to virus prevention.Don't open unsolicited email
No matter how tempting Snow White and her Seven Dwarfs or the 'holiday of a life time' offer might be, don't open or read those emails. If you do please don't ring us with your virus woes.
It's tempting to advise only opening emails from your nearest and dearest but how do you know they don't have a virus either?
The same goes for browsing web sites, you never know what is lurking in those web pages. Treat the Internet as a jungle with unknown dangers - at least then you will be prepared for the worst and will have hopefully armed yourself with the necessary protection before venturing out into the wild.
Install Anti-Virus Software
We do not recommend any particular vendor of AV software but listed below are links to some of the most popular sites:
Frisk
McAfee
Norton
Sophos
Run checks every day
Your AV software should allow you to perform checks or scans on your files without intervention at predetermined intervals, enable this if you can. Also, the software may give you the opportunity to scan incoming email or check for malicious Java code or Active X controls in websites, turn these on if possible.
Tighten Security
Personal firewalls can be effective against preventing not only unwanted intrusion (not a topic discussed here) but also against viruses.
Your web browser will also offer levels of security that can protect you when browsing (you can catch a virus simply by viewing a web site) please read the help files provided to see how to do this.
Update your AV definition files regularly
Once you have installed your AV software and run all the recommended checks ensure that you update to the latest AV definition files as provided the AV vendor. In many cases the vendors provide a system that enables automatic updates to be schedule, WiSS recommends daily updates.
Update your operating system and software
Many viruses are written to exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems or programs, many of these vulnerabilities are known and patches exist to plug these gaps. However, very few users ever take the necessary action or are even aware that action should be taken.
Don't forget when you unpack your new PC it's operating system is already out-of-date and requires patching.
WiSS recommends users of Microsoft products to subscribe to Microsoft's security bulletin notification mailing list. Details on how to do this can be found on Microsoft's website.
Don't pass on virus warnings
There are very few legitimate virus warnings in circulation - most are hoaxes and others are actually viruses. Hoaxes tend to congest email systems and can cause system damage as they encourage deletion of normal system files under the pretext they are viruses. Following such instructions can render your system unusable. System files can be infected with viruses but let your AV software do the detection and cleansing and don't be fooled by hoaxes.
Subscribe to virus warning lists
This is one blatant recommendation we will make. Sophos www.sophos.com offers an email notification service for new viruses detected 'in the wild'. Please use it.