Recovering from a virus attack is a terrible, time consuming business. The best plan is to keep informed and avoid infection.
Protection comes in several forms:
McAfee VirusScan
Norton Anti-Virus
Free
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition < free.grisoft.com>
AntiVir < www.free-av.com>
First install one
Then make sure to update the virus definitions daily.
Updating can be scheduled, so you can't forget. Double check though to make sure its really updating.
If you buy the software see when you anti-virus updates expire. Usually you can buy an annual subscription.
• Run a virus scan on your hard drive at least once a week, if not daily.
This too can be scheduled.
(See your virus protection program instructions.)
• Backup important files! Make copies onto floppy disks or CD Writeable
disks, tapes whatever.
• Educate your students and staff to practice safe computing!
• Never open an attachment, even from a friend, unless you were expecting
it.
• Be careful deciding what software you download from the web. Research it first. Anything free is suspicious.
• Keep Windows and Internet Explorer updated with security patches to
close the holes that viruses exploit. Run Windows Update at least monthly.
(click here to see how)
There are many resources available that will help you understand the various threats, and stay protected. Following are some helpful web sites:
• McAfee anti-virus tips. (http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=tips)
• Sophos offers a helpful array of easy to understand information and articles on these threats. (http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/)
by Nancy Karella and Akira Kamiya