Carroll County Times Articles
Stay Updated on Damage Prevention, Virus Protection
by David Hodgdon – July 12, 2009
# Install business-grade anti-virus software. The proliferation of free anti-virus applications has enticed many business owners to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.
These programs lack several areas of protection vital to keeping a business network secure, and licensing is usually restricted to noncommercial use.
Avoid using "all-in-one" products often called security suites or total protection. These products are always a poor compromise.
Think of it like this: If you need scissors to cut paper, do you purchase a Swiss army knife? Additionally, these products slow your computer down and cause compatibility problems with business networks and line-of-business software.
This begs the question: Why do reputable companies sell these products? The answer is simple: to make money off the consumer's fear of the Internet. Talk to your information technology consultant to see what product is right for your network. If they recommend an all-in-one product, do yourself a favor and find another consultant.
# Install real-time anti-spyware protection. Over the last 12 months, spyware has grown from an annoyance to the No. 1 threat to your data.
It is now critical that business computers have real-time protection (sometimes referred to as active protection) against spyware in addition to your virus protection.
Most anti-virus products claim to provide spyware protection, but our testing has shown they don't do a very good job. Be sure to test your anti-virus with your anti-spyware's real-time protection as many are incompatible causing computers to slow down and/or lock up. Get help with this from an IT consultant, not a store clerk.
# Keep anti-malware software updated. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software must be updated every few hours.
Check your software each day to be sure you're receiving the updates. Check with your IT consultant to see if he or she provides a monitoring service that ensures updates are pushed out as soon as they're available from the software vendor and immediately restarts your protection if turned off by the user, a system error or a previously unknown threat.
# Don't click on e-mail links or attachments. I cannot say this often enough, and this is the No. 1 reason given when I receive calls complaining about a possible infection.
Links in a malicious e-mail don't send you to the location promised. Instead, they redirect you to a malicious Web site. If you aren't expecting an e-mail with an attachment, it is likely malicious even if sent from friend.
# Use hardware-based threat management. A Unified Threat Management device is a must for every business network, no matter how small.
It is the first line of defense against viruses, spyware, spam and hackers. UTMs also block access to known bad Web sites and more.
About the Author
David Hodgdon is an IT consultant, the owner of Hassle Free IT Services (www.HFITservices.com) of Westminster and a member of the Carroll Technology Council. Call him with your computer questions at 410-861-5615 or e-mail david@HFITservices.com. Businesses with at least 10 computers receive two free hours of tech support.
