These are some general tips that all computer users should take in order to protect their computer from virus and malicious attacks.
- Do not open email attachments unless you are expecting them.
Email headers can be altered, or spoofed, so even if you think the mail came from a friend, don't execute the attachment until you verify that it came from them. This will decrease your chance of getting a virus by a hundred fold. 85% of all computer viruses that the average user gets are transmitted in this manner.
- Install a good anti-virus program.
Here at Resnet we use and recommend McAfee Anti-Virus.
- If you have an anti-virus program make sure you update it regularly.
The best anti-virus program in the world is useless if you do not take the time to update the virus files that it recognizes. Most major anti-virus software packages come with an auto-update that you can set. This will allow the program to update your virus files when you are not using your computer, late at night when you are sleeping.
- Make back-ups.
While most people don't have the hardware needed to make a full system back-up, it is possible to back up needed files. Every few weeks to a month you should back up all your work that you have done on your computer since your last backup. You should also create new boot/rescue disks for your computer at this time. Again, most anti-virus programs have a tool in order to do this. Please note though, if you are not going to keep multiple boot disks around, make sure you scan your computer for viruses before writing over an old boot disk. A boot disk will do you no good if you write a virus to it.
- Scan your computer often.
Again, the best software in the world is of no use if you don't use it. Set up a time everyday to scan your computer for viruses, especially if you download things often. Most anti-virus software programs offer a tool in order to schedule a scan when ever you want. This way you can set it to scan right after it gets a new virus update, or late at night when you are not using your computer.
- Scan any suspicious programs or files before you run them.
By scanning them before you use them you decrease the risk that they will contain a virus and infect your computer with it.
- Set your anti-virus programs to scan all removable media.
Because it is possible to hide viruses in the boot sector of disks, or have them run via Windows "auto-run" feature, you should set your virus software to scan any removable media that you put into your system. This way a virus won't be able to install itself to your computer. *NOTE: These types of viruses are rare, most need some action on your part to install themselves.
- Keep your system updated.
Besides keeping your virus information current you also need to keep your programs current. Because new security exploits are detected everyday it is a good idea to check regularly for patches to your OS and other important programs.
- If you are running Windows NT or Linux READ your logs.
The systems logs will tell you if something abnormal has happened to your system. These logs should be the first place you look if you think some one has "hacked" into your system. They will give you information on who and where these people came from.
- If you are running Windows NT or Linux, run all your programs with the least privileged access needed.
You don't want to run all your programs as "Administrator" or "root". You should only use these accounts to install specific software such as system updates or patches. By doing this you decrease the chances that, even if the program you are running does have a virus or does something malicious, the program will succeed in whatever it was trying to do.
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