| Virus Detection
And Preventive Tips |
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One of the main causes of system downtime
is virus infection. With increased exposure to the internet, the spread
of virus has grown even faster and more frequent.
Below is a set of virus detection and preventive tips to guide you on
the path to a safer computing environment.
- Do not open any files attached to an email from an
unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.
- Do not open any files attached to an email unless you
know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or
someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread
through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really
sent it.
- Do not open any files attached to an email if the
subject line is questionable or unexpected. If the need to do so is
there always save the file to your hard drive before doing so.
- Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or
reply to any to them. These types of email are considered spam, which
is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
- Do not download any files from strangers.
- Exercise caution when downloading files from the
Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one.
Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download
site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download
the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.
- Update your anti-virus software regularly. Over 500
viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected.
These updates should be at the least the products virus signature
files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as
well.
- Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus
destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up
copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from
your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.
- When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and
do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not
executing is the more important of these caveats. Check with your
product vendors for updates which include those for your operating
system web browser, and email. One example is the security site section
of Microsoft located at http://www.microsoft.com/security.
Having an antivirus program in our PC is almost mandatory nowadays. But
having these software protection is not sufficient. They must be
coupled with a proper set of working habits to handling files and email
attchments etc. This is the key to a safer computing environment.
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Keep your Sophos Antivirus up to date.
Get the latest IDE files
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