The world of computer security and virus protection has changed rapidly over the past few years. Where previously a simple virus scanner would keep you safe from most virus attacks, these days a more comprehensive approach is needed to make sure that your computers are protected from viruses and other security breaches.

The rapid development of viruses & spyware (spyware is malicious software that runs on a computer to either sell products to a user, or to collect information on a person’s browsing/shopping habits online) also means that although we might be protected today, tomorrow that protection may no longer be enough.

There are four main areas that anyone must address to make sure that their computers are reasonably safe from virus and spyware attacks. These are virus scanners, spyware scanners, software updates and firewalls.

Virus scanners are an obvious defence, but are only as good as their most recent virus database update. This normally happens automatically and they’ll download necessary updates via the internet. If your computer hasn’t been connected to the internet for some time or if your update subscription has expired (this is normally renewed annually), your virus database may be out of date. So checking to make sure that your scanner is up to date is critical. Most virus scanners will receive updates at least weekly, sometimes even daily. If your virus scanner’s database is more than a week old, you should investigate why.

Choosing a good virus scanner is important. Corporate focused virus scanners usually allow an administrator to check all network computers for their update status, infection status and so on from one management console. Using corporate scanners also enable you to renew annual subscriptions for all computers at once, rather than have subscriptions expire at different times throughout the year on different computers. If this happens, many business owners will forget when to update each computer and undoubtedly some will have their subscriptions lapse.

Spyware scanners work in a similar way to virus scanners, however they scan for advertising/marketing/spyware software on your computer. A large proportion of free software available on the internet will often install spyware on your computer as a means of making money. This software may track your online shopping habits, or generate pop-ups and other advertisements on your computer in the hope that you’ll buy other products. Spyware may often open up doors for viral attack, only making the situation worse.

Spyware scanners often require a yearly subscription similar to most virus scanners. Microsoft provide a spyware scanner free with Windows XP or Windows Vista, however you may opt for a paid third party product.

Software updates (or patches) are often overlooked when it comes to viral protection and computer security. These updates can be updates for Microsoft Windows, or any other third party software applications (Adobe Acrobat and so on). Some might think that these updates simply provide more functionality, and so they may be deemed as unnecessary.

The software updates may provide new functionality (or they may not), however the main focus is to repair security flaws in the software. Most viruses today exploit these flaws to infect your computer and then spread to computers. Updating your software packages is critical to preventing a viral infection.

Firewalls are software applications which block unauthorised access to your network and computers. Firewalls can be software installed on your computer, or software that operates embedded in a physical modem device. Viruses and hackers often scan large groups of computers or networks on the internet looking for an ‘open door’. Several thousand can be scanned for vulnerabilities in minutes. Unprotected (or un-firewalled) networks can be identified quickly and easily attacked. Rarely will a computer go for more than five minutes before being scanned for such vulnerabilities, and if unprotected, they may be subsequently infected.

Firewalls can also prevent the spread of a virus within your network, or outside of your network. If one of your computers is infected, a firewall on other computers can prevent the infection from ‘jumping’ from computer to computer.

Firewalls and Software updates are more proactive measures – they’ll help to actually prevent infections. Remember though that virus and spyware scanners are more reactive. They can only protect against a virus once the software developer recognises the virus, and then releases an update to protect against it.

As with any system, good planning and design is of utmost importance. These four components must work together, so a system that has been setup haphazardly may provide a false sense of security (You wouldn’t want your firewall to block necessary software updates for example).

Talk to us if you’re concerned that your network or computers may not be as secure as they should be.

Feel free to give us a call on 1300 788 301 or email at: info@itechnique.com.au