Bush PC Virus Advice

Any computer that is connected to the Internet must have antivirus software installed. There are plenty of free antivirus programs available, so there is no excuse for leaving a computer unprotected. For home computers, we recommend AVG or Avast.

For business computers (or any computer that records critical data) we recommend commercial antivirus. Until recently we usually recommended Norton, but lately we have seen it causing a number of problems, particularly on computers with satellite Internet connections. Bush PC recommends NOD or PC Cillin. Expect to pay around $100 for a 12 month subscription. (If you order online, make sure you're paying in Aussie Dollars, and remember to check that it's a secure connection.)

Reducing the Risk of Viruses

Some viruses are able to disable antivirus software. If you want to check if your virus software is working, visit EICAR and download their virus software test files.

There are a few simple measures that anyone can take to dramatically reduce the risks and consequences of becoming infected with a virus.

• Back up your data..
  • The best way to protect things that are important to you is to copy them onto floppy or CD.
  • Back up often, and have at least two copies.
• All antivirus programs provide automatic update procedure.
  • Even so, you should manually update your antivirus program once a week, just to make sure.
• Turn on Automatic Updates for windows, or visit the Windows Update regularly and apply all critical updates.
• Don't use Outlook Express.
  • Outlook Express allows arriving email to automatically execute scripts.
  • It stores attachments inside the mailbox file, where virus scanners can't scan them. That means if a virus manages to arrive, you can release it over and over again.
  • If you do use Outlook Express, make sure you always update your virus software before you check your mail.
• Our recommended alternatives are Eudora or Pegasus.
  • Neither allow script execution, and that stops many nasty viruses getting loose.
  • Both store attachments as separate files, so they are easily scanned by virus software.
  • Pegasus is totally free. Eudora is a little easier to use (and has a free mode that doesn't nag too often).
• Don't run attachments.
  • Don't run programs. Look for .exe, .dll, .com, .bat, .pif, .scr, .vbs at the end of the name.
    (Make sure you turn off the "Hide File Extensions" option in Folder Options (from the Control Panel).
  • If you think an attached program might be ok, check with the person who sent it BEFORE you run it.
• Don't be fooled by scam email messages.
  • Do you know and trust the person who sent it?
  • There are lots emails circulating on the Internet recommending things that have no basis in fact.
• Internet Explorer contains a number of security flaws.
  • Updating to an alternate browser like Mozilla not only enhances security but provides features not available in Internet Explorer.
• If you are using Windows XP, turn on the firewall. For added protection (or if you're not using XP), consider installing a firewall, such as Zone Alarm or Kerio.
  • A firewall stops virus attacks from the Internet reaching your computer.
  • It can also prevents viruses from using your Internet connection to attack other computers.
  • On the downside, the messages a firewall displays can be very confusing for novice users.
• If you share files over a network, make sure you set each share as read-only.
  • This blocks one method that viruses use to spread.
  • It also prevents you from deleting files on other machines accidentally.

Getting Rid of Viruses

If you are unable to connect to the Internet, or you are unable to follow the instructions, seek professional help.

In addition to House Call, Symantec and PC Pitstop also provide free online virus scans. We recommend House Call because:

• It scans inside compressed files.
• It scans with the most comprehensive virus list.
• It displays the scan results even if you loose your Internet connection during the scan which is pretty common on rural lines.

The best programs to remove spyware are Spybot - Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware. Both of these programs are easy to use.

There are a couple of programs that we recommend for particularly bad infections, but which are more difficult to use. About Buster and Hijack This can solve problems associated with Internet Explorer, but should be used with care.

Be very careful downloading and installing other so-called spyware programs. There are many programs that remove some spyware, only to replace it with other spyware.

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