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Viruses,
Viruses Everywhere
Over the last month or so, there has been an outbreak of computer worms and viruses. Most of them have been infecting Windows NT Servers only, but the effect has been felt by individual users as well. Many of these viruses do NOT delete files or harm your computer (as is stated in many virus hoaxes). Instead they install a "backdoor" in your computer's security settings so that a hacker can get in later. Today, the number one way for a virus to transfer is via email. It is for this reason that we recommend NEVER opening a file attachment from someone, unless it is something you're expecting. The latest viruses infect a user's e-mail software and then send themselves to everyone in the infected person's contact list. Even if someone you know has sent you an attachment, it may be without their knowledge. Just play it safe and only open those attachments that you're expecting. Picture files (.jpg and .gif files) are safe. Executables (.exe files) are suspect. Scripts (.vbs files) are hazardous. What is the best way to stay immune? Well...the free ride is over. For a while now, Grasshopper Technologies recommended a software package called InoculateIT for virus protection. The program was free from Computer Associates and it did an excellent job. Recently, however, InoculateIT was acquired by (or became?) a company called my-eTrust.com. The software package is still excellent, but it costs $19.95 for the first year and $9.95/yr. thereafter. When you consider that this adds up to about a dollar per workstation per month, it is well worth the investment. For the companies out there that use Windows NT/2000 as their server software, we recommend Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition. It comes out to about $30/workstation, but it can also be installed on your server and can be centrally managed. |
