Re: Re: [Harp-L] Major Computer virus alert

[Garry Hodgson <garry@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> When in doubt about what viruses are real or not, and what the real ones
> do, go to either Symantec's website
> (http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/global/vinfodb.html) or McAfee's
> (http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp) and see what they have to
> say about it.

excellent advice.

> Finally, if your computer is connected to the internet subscribe to one
> of the leading antivirus software products (McAfee or Symantec work
> fine), and use a firewall (the one built in to Win XP is fine, or get
> the free one offered by ZoneAlarm).  

another good option is pc-cillin, by trend micro, which offers antivirus, 
antispam, antispyware, firewall, etc.  check the reviews at cnet.com to
see how they compare.

> If you have up to date antivirus
> software and a firewall, you will probably never have a problem.  

make sure you have your computer set for daily auto updates, and 
your antivirus software as well.   you want to get patches and antivirus
updates as soon as possible.  there's no way you'll keep up with things
if you're trying to do it manually.

> If you
> don't have up to date antivrius software and a firewall, and you've been
> online for more than 10 minutes total, get offline immediately and
> install antivirus software and a firewall.

a colleague recently set up a new windows machine, fresh install, and
hooked it up to the net.  in the time it took to configure the firewall,
maybe a couple of minutes, he was already infected.  get all your 
security in place before you attach to the net if at all possible.

it's *nasty* out there.

----
Garry Hodgson, Technical Consultant, AT&T Labs

do for others with no desire of return.
we should all plant some trees
we will never sit under.