anti-virus

Why do most viruses seem to affect Windows® users?
Most personal computers use the Windows® operating system. Therefore, viruses create more frequent havoc than those written to attack Linux or Apple operating systems.

I keep reading about viruses that affect Microsoft Outlook, Word or Excel. Should I change programs?
Most creators write viruses to exploit these programs because the programs are popular. Rather than changing software applications, your best bet is to be alert to updates for your software. Almost all software manufacturers have lists of updates, fixes and security patches available for download.

I just received an e-mail warning me of a virus. What should I do?
E-mail virus hoaxes can be almost as virulent as actual viruses. A particularly persuasive hoax will have people propagating the e-mail rapidly, increasing traffic on mail servers, and in some cases, requiring companies to shut down their mail servers to avoid a crash. Before you hit the forward button, check out Symantec's Hoaxes Web page.

I suspect I have a virus. What should I do?
The first thing to do is run a virus scan using your virus software. If you have no viruses, follow the directions to update your virus definition files and run a second scan. Still no viruses? You're probably in the clear. Go ahead and back up important files and reboot. If there were no problems, chances are you're safe.

It's tempting, if you think you have a virus, to immediately back up all your files onto a server, disc or other media for safe keeping. But if you don't know what virus you have, you may be backing up and transferring it. Viruses are one of the many reasons you should have a comprehensive data backup plan to minimize data loss in the event something bad happens to your computer.

How do I avoid data loss in the event that a bad virus hits my organization's computers?
Protect yourself by regularly backing up all your systems. That way if you do lose data, you won't lose it all.

How can I keep informed about viruses?
The best way to keep on top of virus threats is to be vigilant about updating your software with bug fixes and security patches and regularly updating your virus definition files.

emote access VPNs, performance and bandwidth issues are usually minimal. Authentication, rather than encryption, is the main security concern.

Extranet VPN - Using the Internet as its backbone, this type of VPN serves a larger number of users and locations, enabling customers, suppliers and branch offices to access corporate resources across various network architectures. Extranet VPNs rely on standards such as IPsec to ensure maximum compatibility, while not compromising security.