Computer viruses are increasingly common and destructive, and IT Services makes every effort to keep Iowa State University and supported computers free from infection. To help reduce the risk of infecting your computer and the computers of others please follow these virus protection tips from McAfee and IT Services.
1. Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious, or untrustworthy source.
2. Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it.
3. Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected. If the need to do so is there always save the file to your hard drive before doing so.
4. Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any of them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
5. Do not download any files from an unknown, suspicious, or untrustworthy source.
6. Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.
7. Update your virus definitions regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month. While your virus protection software is scheduled to update your virus definitions automatically, occasionally you may need or want to update your virus definitions manually.
8. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments.
Keeping the computers on your home network can be a messy business, but Kaspersky has a solution which can make things a bit easier to manage. Their re-tooled Pure Total Security suite offers full-spectrum network protection from malware defense to backups to parental controls.
Pure packs a ton of functionality, including malware protection, firewall, spam and phishing protection, backup and restore functions, parental controls, a password manager and secure data vault, and a file shredder. However, Pure's most interesting new feature is that it lets you manage all your Kaspersky-protected systems from one location. You can adjust settings, run scans or backups, and monitor parental control activity on any system from the dashboard on your main PC.
Pure Total Security will cost you $89.95 to cover three systems for one year -- protection for five systems is $149.95. It's not a bad deal for an easy to manage, all-in-one solution.
You can find a lot of documents about IT security. We do not intend to clarify basic concepts here, nor do we want to take any position regarding this matter. We accept it as a fact that every computer user needs anti-virus protection, a firewall and an anti-spyware program.
Each 64-bit Windows release includes a firewall. This provides a certain level of protection but will probably be found insufficient if the computer is used continuously. Currently, the Tiny Firewall 64 program can offer a good solution. We do not have a wide range to choose from, but it is also worth taking a closer look at XP firewall control and ZoneAlarm 64-bit programs.
In the field of anti-spyware programs the Windows Defender Beta 2 build 1051 x64 offers the only solution. This software is maintained on a continuous basis, and is updated online. It properly performs its tasks, and is suitable to provide basic protection in this special field.
In the field of anti-virus protection you can choose from more options but it is by far not certain that each of the programs discussed here can actually provide that level of security which their 32-bit counterparts offer. Understandably, quite a number of opinions, technical and business aspects may clash in this regard, too. In my opinion, it is especially important with anti-virus software that any given program would operate not only in 64-bit-compatible mode. It is very likely that only native 64-bit software can offer true protection against viruses. The reason for that is very simple: viruses do not or do not always run, infect, operate on the highest layer from the operating system’s point of view. It is obvious that an anti-virus program can grant protection against viruses only ‘down to’ that level where it is still compatible with the given operating system. And 64-bit programs are the most compatible ones. Today there is but one company, Computer Associates, which offers overall native 64-bit anti-virus protection. There are two programs available
Anti-Virus Protection
Computer viruses (including trojans, worms, etc.) represent a substantial risk to the University community in terms of time, money, and potential data loss. The sophistication, damage, and speed of propagation have been increasing over time.
To protect against the spread of these viruses on University computers and reduce institutional risk, the University advisory committee has recommended and the Chief Information Officer has approved a "two-tier" anti-virus standard. Two-tier protection means that anti-virus software is used on both the desktop and server systems. This is a common practice for protecting information technology resources on large complex networks and provides a layer of protection beyond that of the basic security requirement of regularly updating and patching the computer system.
Desktop/Personal Computer (Computers Used by a Single User at a Time)
Desktop and personal computers, including laptop computers, connected to the University network are required to maintain and use an up-to-date version of anti-virus software (or virus filtering software for Unix desktops) configured according to relevant standards.
The most common desktop operating systems at the University are various versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh. Desktop computers should use anti-virus software even if they don't use e-mail on the computer. Although e-mail is a common source of virus infection, it is not the only one; network and web page propagation have also been used by recent viruses.
Computers used to control or report results from instrumentation (such as research instrument controllers) and some proprietary uses of desktop computers present unique challenges. If, for some reason anti-virus protection is not feasible, other risk mitigation alternatives (in addition to routine system patching) are required such as the removal of e-mail and other services and use of a software firewall. In some cases, removal of the computer from the University network may be the best alternative to mitigate the risk.
Servers (Computers Used by Multiple Users at a Time)
E-mail servers are required to maintain and use an up-to-date version of anti-virus software configured according to relevant standards. Because they send and receive e-mail for multiple users that potentially contains viruses capable of infecting others, these servers represent a significant risk.
For servers other than those used as e-mail servers, use of anti-virus software is highly recommended whenever feasible. In some cases use of anti-virus software on these other servers may not be appropriate. However, if e-mail is hosted on a multi-purpose server, anti-virus or virus filtering software on the server is required.
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) offers free, centrally-funded e-mail accounts to students, staff, and faculty that are protected by anti-virus software. Unless there is a compelling requirement not met by the central e-mail service, this is the recommended e-mail server service in lieu of departmental servers.
For the desktop, OIT has purchased a site license for commercial desktop anti-virus software for many common computing platforms. This licensed software is available free of charge to all students, staff, and faculty on all campuses of the University. When installed and properly configured, this product provides significant protection against viruses. See the required configuration in the Basic Security for Computers and Other Electronic Devices Procedure.
* Norton Antivirus 2011 was engineered around the Intelligent Threat Protection concept: its core technology, the Norton Protection System, uses multiple layers of security that work together to proactively block attacks and remove threats - something that traditional virus detection methods cannot achieve. In addition, all downloads, files and applications are checked before you can use them on your computer. Security holes in your operating system and browser are guarded so no infections can get to you that way. Your emails and Instant Messages are always scanned to detect potential threats.
* Norton Antivirus 2011 has top-notch performance: fast and light on system resources, it uses Norton Insight to scan only files that are at risk. This means fewer scans and therefore better PC performance. Its Smart Scheduler feature initiates scans only when your PC is idle; Silent Mode is engaged automatically when playing games or watching movies so that alerts, updates and scans are delayed until you are done; for laptops, Power Saver Settings delay power-hungry activities until your computer is plugged in.
* Norton Antivirus 2011 protects you against today's "rapid-fire" attacks, for which "signatures" don't yet exist. This is done with Norton Insight Network, which uses Symantec's global security network to extract information about the very latest threats and prevent them from getting to your computer. Also, the SONAR 3 technology uses online intelligence and proactive monitoring to detect and block new threats. Finally, Norton Pulse Updates allow frequent, small updates of Norton Antivirus 2011's threat database, meaning it is as current as can be in terms of latest threat detection.
* Norton Antivirus 2011 gives you information on threats that it has detected and removed so you know exactly what is going on with your computer, thanks to Norton Threat Insight. Also, Norton Download Insight warns you of dangerous downloads you are about to make and Norton File Insight shows you information about applications you are trying to install, whether or not they are trusted and if they will impact your computer's speed more than you'd like.
* Norton Antivirus 2011 helps you keep your PC running at top speed with automatic and on-demand application optimization. Its Norton System Insight feature gives you a log of recent events such as downloads, installations, scans and detected threats so you can get a better understanding of what is slowing down your PC. It also provides you with resource usage graphs which help you pinpoint resource-heavy processes.
