Computer Viruses on a Rampage!

If you don't know of someone or if you yourself havn't been the target of a computer virus then you may live on the planet Vulcan. All kidding aside, these clever little 'techies' that use their smarts for evil are up all hours of the night just trying to find ways to hack into your computer and servers.

As an example,one of my collegues received this email just today:

Subject: Outlook Setup Notification

You have (8) messages from Microsoft Outlook.

Please re-configure your Microsoft Outlook again.

Download attached setup file and install.

So this email, posing as Microsoft, is atttempting to make the reader believe that there is a need to 're-configure' your email client in order to access these email messages by opening an attachment that is within the email that THEY sent that just so happens to be accessible. Ok..let's NOT do that!

Now, it is just not possible to know about ALL the possible ways viruses and trojans can access your computer or servers. And the reasons for creating them to begin with are just as numerous as the viruses themselves. So, what can you do about these obnoxious and annoying attacks?

First of all, there is an ABSOLUTE need for a good anti-virus for your computer (an Enterprise edition anti-virus if it's a company). Which one, you ask? Yes, there are many. Some that get great reviews are VYPRE, CA, Symantec, and Kaspersky. Ask your 'computer guy' what they recommend.
Now, although well intentioned and they work the majority of the time, there are some viruses that seem to 'creep' in. Take a look at this enlightening article entitled New Attack Bypasses Every Windows Security Product.
So, this brings us to my second point: FIREWALL
Now this, as it seems, is a mighty important part of a business network. Without it, and without it configured properly, you might as well go outside and give out your passwords. Don't know if you have a firewall? DEFINITELY check with your 'computer guy' about that and address it immediately.

So, in a nutshell, just approach your emails and the internet with open eyes and if you are unsure, then check with someone that knows.

Safe Surfing!

Lou Everett

Network Technician

b2Networx, Inc.
www.b2networx.com