Simple Steps to Protect Against Viruses, Spyware- Antivirus Software

 

Simple Steps to Protect Against Viruses, Spyware- Antivirus Software

Use an Antivirus Software

Install an Antivirus Software on all workstations and servers and make sure they are kept up to date . Since new viruses can spread extremely quickly, it is important to have an update infrastructure that can update all the computers in your company frequently and in the short term. Sophos antivirus solutions are automatically updated, ensuring your computers have the latest protection against viruses and spyware.

Use an email filtering solution at the gateway to protect your networks from email threats, be they viruses, spam, and spyware. Sophos gateway security solutions scan all email traffic that passes through the mail server, providing an additional level of protection against email worms and viruses.

Don't forget to protect laptops and stations used by employees from home. Make sure they receive up-to-date virus protection as viruses, worms and spyware use these devices to penetrate the company network. Sophos ensures that laptops and remote stations are automatically updated with the latest virus protection every time they connect to the Internet or your network.

Set up a filter

Consider using potentially malicious message filtering at the gateway as it provides a proactive level of protection against new threats.

May:

·         Block file types that tend to harbor viruses

Viruses often use EXE, COM, PIF, SCR, VBS, SHS, CHM, and BAT files to spread. However, normally a company does not need to receive these files.

·         Block any file with more than one extension

Some viruses try to hide their true nature by using double file extensions. Files like LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT.VBS or ANNAKOURNIKOVA.JPG.VBS may initially look like a simple text file or a photo.

·         Make sure that all executable code sent to your company is verified and approved

Make sure that all executables received from abroad via email go directly to the IT department or, in the case of SMEs, to your IT manager, for verification and approval.

This serves two purposes. First, your department or IT manager can confirm not only that the file is virus-free, but that it is also properly licensed (so it is unlikely to conflict with other existing software applications), and is appropriate (for example, not containing pornographic material). Second, this way the IT department will be aware of what programs are installed on the computers.

Find out about the latest virus threats

Subscribe to Sophos newsletters for information on the latest virus threats, support information, and new products. At the same time, consider signing up for a virtual information service on your website or intranet to keep your users informed of the latest viruses.

Protect the gateway and remote users with firewalls

Computers connected to the outside must be protected against Internet threats by firewalls. It is necessary to include the laptops and remote stations of users who work from home; they also need to use a firewall and may not be able to benefit from a central firewall located in the company.

Keeping up with security patches

Many software manufacturers publish security bulletins. For example, Microsoft has a newsletter that warns of security holes and problems found in its Antivirus Software and advise the use of protection patches. The IT department should subscribe to these newsletters and take the necessary action. When a security hole is detected in an application or operating system and a patch is released, organizations must have an infrastructure in place to verify that the patch works properly and distribute it across the network. Some manufacturers offer automatic patch updating for home users, and this system may be suitable for updating laptops and remote stations.

Back up frequently

Make regular backup copies of all important data and check that it is ready for use. Keep backups in a safe place, even outside the office in case of fire.

Change your computer's startup sequence

Although they are no longer as common as they used to be, boot sector viruses continue to affect computers. Anyway, it is relatively easy to combat them. Change the computer's boot sequence in CMOS so that it boots from the hard drive instead of drive A: (the floppy drive). This would stop any boot sector viruses (like Form, CMOS4, AntiCMOS, Monkey, etc). If you need to boot from a floppy disk, you can change the settings for that particular occasion.

Enter an antivirus policy

Create a business policy for IT security and make sure everyone understands each point so they can put it into practice and know who to contact if they have questions.

Such a policy should include:

·         Ban on downloading executables and documents directly from the Internet.

·         Ban on running unsolicited executables / documents / spreadsheets within the company.

·   Prohibition of playing computer games or using screensavers not included with the operating system.

·    Verification and approval system for executables that arrive by email from outside the company.

You might also recommend that staff do the following:

·     Save all Word documents in Rich Text Format (RTF) so that they cannot contain macro viruses.

·         Be suspicious of unexpected messages.

·         Forward any virus or hoax notices directly (and only) to the IT department to confirm their authenticity.

·    If a virus is believed to have infected a computer, it is necessary to inform the IT department immediately.