Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anything I can do to reduce the chance of being at risk?
How often should I update my anti-virus software?
Can Anti Virus Updates be automated?
What are Hoax Viruses?
What is “Spyware”?
What is "Malware"?
What are "Zombie Machines"?
What are the emails that I receive from people that I don’t know telling me I’ve sent them a virus?
Any Questions?
Is there anything I can do to reduce the chance of being at risk?
- Make sure that your Anti-Virus Software is up to date—10 to 15 new virus on average every day
- Use Windows Update regularly
- Test your Uninterruptible Power Supply units
- Obtain a “Port Scan” to test your Firewall
- Virus check every Floppy & CD
- Get Summit IT to perform a System Risk Audit
- Remember – it is more than Viruses
How often should I update my anti-virus software?
You should check to see if there is an update to the Virus list for your software daily. There is no point in having a prevention for the virus available and catching it because the update hasn’t been applied
Can Anti Virus Updates be automated?
Most modern antivirus software packages can be updated automatically. The instructions will be in the documentation
Summit IT recommends and uses NOD32 for AntiVirus, this updates as and when it is needed. By default it checks for updates every hour
These are messages urging you to send the message on like a chain letter. Often warning of dire consequences if the virus actually happens. This if passed on in sufficient numbers can cause trouble to email systems
All Warnings should be checked for accuracy before they are even mentioned to anybody else. Some have been circulating for years
“Spyware” is the name given to computer programs that you have “authorized” to be downloaded that can report back your activities to an advertising agency or worse. This is used to provide “targeted adverts” (Pop ups) to your machine. Others might change your home page or dialer settings providing revenue for the author
When you download a program there will be something in the small print that allows the site to download the “Spyware” too
It is advisable not to download any program unless you are entirely sure about it
Malware is short for malicious software, code designed specifically to damage or disrupt a computer system
Zombie machines are machines that have been infected by a virus in such away that allow the virus writer or others access to the machine get the machine to run instructions that are not authorised by the user of the machine. These machines are so compromised that they virtually dead
What are the emails that I receive from people that I don’t know telling me I’ve sent them a virus?
Modern email viruses attempt to hide the source of infection by falsifying the sender’s email address. This causes automated response messages announcing the presence of a virus going to the wrong sender
The process of falsifying the email address is called “Spoofing”
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