Antivirus Information, Advice and Links
Major Online References:
- Ziff-Davis Security Supersite
- Symantec SecurityFocus (Symantec will focus on integrating the SecurityFocus line of DeepSight Threat Management Systems and Alert Services into its existing Symantec Security Response organization.)
- Resolving and Preventing Viruses on Your Computer - Hewlett-Packard describes this site as, "This document applies to computers with Microsoft® Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP. This document explains the differences between viruses, helps resolve viruses, and offers suggestions for preventing viruses in the future. It also provides links to specific virus and security vulnerability information as well as support documentation related to resolving and preventing viruses. "
- Register for the Microsoft Security Newsletter for Home Users
- Check the most recent security announcements at PCMagazines Security Watch at www.pcmag.com/category2/0,1738,12,00.asp.
- Jul 2006 Microsoft's Windows Live Safety Center helps tune up your computer. Published: December 5, 2005. It is similar to Trend Micro's Housecall, which scans your computer for malware, reports what's there, and will remove it if you want. Jim suggests the membership download and run it while it's free. It finds things others don't, but you might not want to remove everything it finds. Jim noted it found his atomic clock program, and another program he uses and wants to keep; but it also found two other malware programs he wants to eradicate. Use it with caution, and remember, it is a beta release. Google this for more: "windows live safety center"
- CIAC Home Page (ciac.llnl.gov/ciac) is the U.S. Department of Energy's Computer Incident Advisory Capability, which has been providing the U.S. Department of Energy with incident response, reporting, and tracking, along with other computer security support since 1989. There is a wealth of useful information on this site. Comments [about virus/trojan/worm/etc.] sent to ciac@ciac.org are welcomed. However, send comments and information on hoaxes, scams, urban myths, etc. to the HOAXMASTER at hoaxmaster@ciac.org.
- CERT® Coordination Center (CERT/CC) is a center of Internet security expertise, located at the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center operated by Carnegie Mellon University. The CERT/CC encourages home users to review the "Home Network Security" and "Home Computer Security" documents.
- The Symantec Security Response www.symantec.com/avcenter is Symantec's source of information on the latest virus threats and security advisories. If you do get infected, there are also links to online removal tools to help you get rid of the infection. You can get virus definitions and updates for McAfee/Symantec products. If you are not going to renew your subscription, be sure to cancel at least 30 days before your subscription expires - Symantec automatically renews your subscription.
- McAfee home www.nai.com, also McAfee Virus Alert Page, and McAfee Virus Library.
- Panda Software Virus and Intrusion Prevention website. Free trial for their products is available.
- CNET Reviews from CNET Labs CNET Virus Center
- CNET Networks, in conjunction with TechRepublic, has a Virus Threat Center.
- Free online virus and malware scanners
- Free Anti-virus software
(anybody know other general security references? If so, !)
(Jun 2004 - Leo LaPorte) Lost your Internet connectivity when your anti-virus cleaned your system? Try using WinSock XP to fix things (download it now and save it, or you'll have to get a friend to download it for you if you lose connectivity). You might also want to try XP's system file checker. Click Start -> Run... and type cmd to open a command line window. Then type sfc /scannow (You'll need a Windows XP install disk to use this technique.)
Don't be taken in by the email purporting to be from Microsoft with a “Current Microsoft Security Patch” as an attachment. It is actually a virus known as the Win32.Swen, also known as just "Swen," and often seen as W32/Gibe. Don't open the email, delete it. Microsoft does not send security or other patches by email, you have to go to their site.
Update your virus checker BEFORE opening your email program. DO NOT OPEN AN ATTACHMENT until AFTER you have updated your virus checker, saved the attachment to disk, and checked the attachment with the virus checker. Not all attachments are virii; but you should check every attachment before opening it, even if it appears to come from a "trusted source". Be especially suspicious of unexpected attachments, or attachments from unknown sources.
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