TECHNOLOGY
TIPS
Avoiding Viruses and Hoaxes
AXI
receives hundreds of viruses and hoaxes. Here is
how we make sure they don't affect our organization, and
how you can protect your systems.
Viruses
Purchase
an on-line subscription for a quality anti-virus
software package.
We use
both Symantec and Norton. Both services
prompt users via the web to update the virus definitions
and protection. The updating is easy and automatic.
Based on our experience to-date, we prefer Norton.
With
Norton, there are a number of options as to how infected
attachments and e-mails are handled. The quarantine
feature basically ensures that the user does not receive
anything in their inbox that could be infected.
We also
communicate with users to ensure that attachments of a
particular type are not opened. This includes exe, pif
and similar files.
Hoaxes
Anything
that comes with a "tell everyone you know"
encouragement is an immediate hoax suspect. Unless there
are links provided to credible information on the web
that supports the information, it is a suspected
hoax. If in doubt, we check one of the many sites
that track hoaxes.
The
other type of hoax that can cause chaos for office
systems is the virus hoax. The intent is to trick
users into thinking that their system is already
infected, but the solution offered actually is the
intended damage. Again, before any action is taken, look
for links to credible information on the web. If
in doubt, check the anti-virus sites as well as those
sites that track hoaxes.
Above
all, make sure your staff do not forward any e-mails as
part of a chain letter or mass warning suggestion
...ever. This should be a strict policy in your
organization.
If you
do not have an e-mail policy, then one should be
implemented immediately.
Technology has a
significant role in the work of association staff. The Technology
Tips focus on how individuals can manage using
technology rather than being managed by
technology.
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