Anti-Virus Software
The first piece of security every computer user needs is anti-virus software and it is essential that every computer that connects to the internet has some sort of anti-virus software.
To be effective, the software must be set to receive updates to keep ahead of the virus writers. The software will give you the option of receiving updates periodically on your command though it is advisable to set it so updates are received daily and automatically.
If your business has more than one computer you will need to purchase multiple licenses and install the software on each machine.
Using an unprotected computer as a ‘honey pot’ experiment, analysts discovered that within half an hour of being connected to the web, it had been infected 7 times with varying forms of spyware, viruses and Trojans rendering the machine almost unusable.
One of the ways that virus writers try to catch out anti-virus software is by pumping out enormous numbers of variations of their malicious creations. Good anti-virus programs use techniques to spot viruses that have not been formally identified but have all the characteristics of being a virus. Heuristic anti-virus software uses artificial intelligence to spot trends and characteristics inherent in previous viruses.
Most computers now come with anti-virus software installed and though an annual subscription can seem expensive, it might be cheap when you consider how much it could save you if it stops your bank details being stolen or your data corrupted.
If you do suspect you have been infected by a virus and you have anti-virus software in place, contact the software provider or look on their website to check for patches or updates. The major suppliers act as information clearing houses during virus outbreaks and so will usually be able to disseminate helpful information to their customers. Current threats can be found on the Sophos website for example.
