KPEnterprises
Fighting Viruses
Fighting Spyware
Fighting all the "little Bugs" in your System
Viruses
Viruses are computer programs or scripts that have the ability to replicate. They contain code that can make your computer execute commands.
Viruses spread by attaching themselves to files or messages. You are most likely to get a virus by email or by visiting a web site.
Some viruses destroy files. A few viruses destroy hardware. Some allow access to your machine so that someone else can control it.
Since you don’t know what any given virus will do, you should avoid them all. Our Tip Sheet (see below) is intended to give you a few simple rules that will protect you from most viruses.
Virus Safety Tips
- Have and use a virus scanning program.
- Keep your virus scanner up to date.
- Remember: You are most likely to get a virus by email from someone you know! Don’t trust an email that appears to be from a friend.
- Do not open email from people you don’t know. Delete the email.
- Never open an email that’s not addressed to you (Spam is a great example). Delete the email.
- Do not open attachments — even from people you know — unless you asked that person to send you that file. Delete the email.
- Warnings about viruses will never show up in email! They won’t come from Microsoft , Network Associates, Symantec, etc.
- If you see email instructions from anyone telling you to delete files, it’s a hoax.
- Emails that have scary messages and include instructions to pass the email along to everyone you know are hoaxes.
Virus-Fighting Actions
- Download the Anti-Virus Tip Sheet
- Fill out the forms below to schedule a FREE 68-point Problem Prevention Network Audit
Spyware
Spyware is the term we use for code that tracks your computer activity and sends it back to some server somewhere. Spyware data collection falls into three basic categories:
Adware. This is relatively benign spyware. Companies track your activities on the Internet and present you with advertisements that appeal to you. On the less-benign side of things, these programs can also lead to more pop-ups and unwanted email advertising (spam).
Data farming. Phishing and Pharming are the cute little names given to the process of collecting your private information for purposes of stealing from you.
The least serious offenses consist of collecting email addresses, user names, and passwords. On the more evil side of the spectrum you’ll find programs that collect birthdays, social security numbers, loan numbers, and other data used to steal your identity (identity theft).
Remote Control or Trojan Horse programs. Trojans, as they’re called, are programs that turn your computer into a “zombie” that does the bidding of other computer. This might include scanning for personal data on your network or sending out spam on behalf of the evil master computer.
Current estimates are that almost 10% of the traffic on the Internet consists of spyware calling “home.” Combine that with the fact that 97% of email traffic on the internet is spam, and you have a lot of wasted resources!
Unfortunately, spyware is a reality in the modern business world. And it can cost tens of thousands of dollars -- a little at a time.
Spyware-Fighting Actions
- Download the Anti-Spyware Tip Sheet
- Fill out the forms below to schedule a FREE 68-point Problem Prevention Network Audit
Request our free webinar on CD-ROM.
