| "How Safe is Your Success" is a series of eight | | | | becomes: An anti-virus program is only as good as the |
| articles. Each article addresses a different aspect of a | | | | last time it was updated. |
| universal problem which is of particular importance to | | | | If you are to have any chance at all against the flood |
| those who do business on-line. Most Internet users are | | | | of virus-type attacks permeating the Internet, you |
| at least aware there are dangers "out there", but few | | | | absolutely MUST ensure that your anti-virus installation |
| appreciate the real extent of those dangers, the | | | | is always using an up-to-date database. |
| possible (even likely) consequences, or the best, most | | | | Don't let the mention of "database" deter you that's |
| practical and least expensive means of countering | | | | the province of the programmer. All you need do is |
| them. This series is intended to at least provide some | | | | configure your anti-virus program to regularly contact |
| useful awareness of the situation. | | | | it's developer's website and download the latest |
| Part 3 - The Anti-Virus Conundrum | | | | updates. Any anti-virus program worthy of your |
| One of the most common defenses I hear from clients | | | | consideration will have a built-in scheduler to take care |
| when I tell them I have discovered that a virus is the | | | | of regularly connecting to the Internet and retrieving |
| cause of their "problem" goes like this: "But I'm using an | | | | updates. Frankly, it is just too important a task to be |
| anti-virus. I've always had one! The man in the | | | | left to the frailties of human memory, so always use |
| computer shop put it on for me". | | | | automation when it is available. |
| The Man In The Computer Shop, by dint of the fact he | | | | As for detection capabilities, most of the major |
| is "in computers" and speaks all that jargon stuff, is | | | | anti-virus packages are pretty much on a par these |
| perceived as an Expert Who Can Be Trusted. I mean, | | | | days. For me it's the little extras that count, like ease of |
| do you argue with your plumber about pipe diameters | | | | configuration, prompt and helpful support, etc. and of |
| and flow rates? Do you quiz your electrician about | | | | course cost. The specific brand of anti-virus software |
| safe electrical loads? No. He is the expert and you | | | | you use is up to you. My personal preference is a |
| expect him to know. | | | | company I have been watching, using and |
| Warning: Do not carry any of the trust you may place | | | | recommending for a few years now: Grisoft, makers |
| in a qualified specialist tradesperson over to the | | | | of the AVG anti-virus. You'll find them here: |
| computer industry. Look at the computer game as | | | | If you are a home computer user you can use this |
| being more akin to the motor trades. You don't expect | | | | excellent anti-virus program completely free of charge. |
| the car salesman to be an expert in tune-ups, or the | | | | The site layout and links change from time to time, but |
| mechanic to repair a tear in your upholstery. Each to | | | | from the link above look for a reference to "AVG |
| his own. | | | | Free". Note that there is also an AVG Trial, but that's a |
| Many computer retail sales people are quite | | | | time-limited trial of the commercial software. As a |
| competent when it comes to configuring a PC, but | | | | home user on a single stand-alone PC you'll be very |
| keep in mind that there is no necessity for them to be | | | | happy with AVG Free. |
| other than good salespeople. Unless you work in a | | | | Finally, a word about "security suites". I know I'm inviting |
| company that has ready access to a professional IT | | | | criticism for this stance, but I must say I'm not a fan of |
| support person, there is much you will have to do | | | | security suites for most home or small business |
| yourself to get your computer safe. There is also | | | | installations. A suite is a software package that offers |
| much you will have to become aware of for it to stay | | | | not only anti-virus but includes software components |
| that way. | | | | that purport to tackle other nasties such as SpyWare, |
| My favorite saying with respect to anti-virus protection | | | | adware, etc. |
| is this: "An anti-virus program is only as good as the | | | | In my experience you do not find the best of each |
| day it was made". Expected response: "Huh?", which is | | | | type of protection bundled together. Because a |
| OK because then I get to explain. | | | | company may be extremely good at producing an |
| A virus is just a computer program and, reduced to | | | | anti-virus product does not mean they can do as good |
| basics, a computer program is just a special type of | | | | a job with an anti-adware solution. While the corporate |
| document containing alpha-numeric characters | | | | buyers tend to turn their noses up at free software, |
| — called code. The publishers of anti-virus | | | | the fact is that some of the very best-of-breed |
| software carefully analyze the code of a known virus | | | | security solutions are just that - free. If the corporates |
| program and determine a fingerprint or | | | | with their big budgets and in-house IT support prefer to |
| signature that can be said to be characteristic of | | | | invest in complex and often costly integrated suites, |
| that particular virus. That information is added to a | | | | that's fine. They have the resources to handle anything |
| database of signatures of other viruses that have also | | | | that happens. |
| been analyzed. | | | | But for my money there's a lot to be said for |
| The anti-virus program compares data on the | | | | implementing a series of much smaller, less complex, |
| computer’s hard drive (or in memory) with the | | | | often free utilities that matched task for task |
| information stored in its database of virus signatures. If | | | | can usually out-perform the equivalent component |
| a match is found, the likelihood of a virus is high and an | | | | parts of an integrated suite. |
| alert is issued, or some other pre-programmed action | | | | We'll be looking more specifically at adware and |
| takes place. | | | | SpyWare threats in the next part of this series, so if |
| There is also a more complex detection method called | | | | you are not yet a subscriber to this newsletter join |
| heuristics which, rather than looking for specifically | | | | now, or risk missing some very important information. |
| defined characteristics, looks for virus-like behavior". | | | | In the interim, get yourself a good modern anti-virus |
| If your anti-virus program offers a heuristics option, do | | | | scanner and, once installed, be sure to get into the |
| make sure it is enabled. Sometimes anti-virus | | | | configuration options and set a daily update schedule. In |
| programs that offer heuristics don't have that option | | | | AVG version 7 you just launch the Test Center, click |
| enabled by default. | | | | the Scheduler button, double-click the "Update plan" |
| Now if I tell you that new viruses are being released | | | | entry and select your preferred options. While you |
| onto the Internet every day of the week, can you see | | | | have the Test Center open you might as well |
| how your anti-virus program will soon become useless | | | | double-click on the "Test plan" entry and set your |
| against an ever-growing number of viruses for which it | | | | preferred full-scan time. Mine happens in the early |
| will have no characteristics? So my favorite saying | | | | hours of the morning when it can't slow my work. |