Four Anti-Virus Tactics to Live By

1. Purchase a good anti-virus program.

Cameron University runs the anti-virus program VirusScan from McAfee . This software will protect your computer only IF you log into the Microsoft Windows file server.

Also, it would be wise to purchase an anti-virus program for your home computer. ITS recommends PC-CILLIN or McAfee VirusScan.



2. Never open ANY file from an email attachment until it has been scanned and approved by your anti-virus program.

Probably the most important rule of all. There are
currently over forty-six thousand viruses out there, there are over 2.8 trillion possible files names. Many think they can protect themselves from a computer virus by being on "the lookout" for one particular virus when the media alerts.

Remember, to infect your computer with a virus, you have to open (or double- click on) a file that contains a virus. As long as you don't open that file, you really have nothing to fear.

To scan a file for on a CU computer, click on Start\Programs\Network Associates\VirusScan On-Demand Scan. Put a checkmark beside the drive you want to scan and then click on the button that says Scan Now. That's all there is to it.

Do you have to scan EVERY file, even if that file is from your friends or coworkers? Yes! In the world of computer viruses, you can't trust anyone, intentionally or unintentionally of how the file was sent.



3. Turn on Macro Virus Protection in Microsoft Office Applications and be aware of all macros... especially if you don't know what macros are!

Macros are saved sequences of commands or keyboard strokes that are recalled with a single command. Macros enable advanced MS Office users to accomplish multiple tasks quickly... they also allow virus writers to cause damage to your computer.

To protect against macros, open MS word and...

Office 2000:

Open the Tools menu > point to "Macro" and then choose "Security.

Select the HIGH SECURITY option.

4. If you ever receive an executable file (a file ending with .exe), throw it away!

The key is "unexpectedly." Most of the viruses in existence end in an executable file. Some may be zipped (ending in .zip, .tar, etc.), but in any case if you did not know it was coming... throw it away.



These four tactics will not protect you from every virus, worm or Trojan horse, but will greatly reduce your risk of infection.