How Anti Virus Software Protects Your Business

Antivirus software is one of the most essential types of desktop software. It can identify, confine and eliminate viruses, worms, malware and Trojan horses. A computer virus can be used to destroy your business data, steal your identity, compromise your business contacts, and even offer you unsolicited or counterfeit products and services. It is designed to replicate itself on any network connected computer. Virus's are created by amateurs as well as organised criminal gangs. These cyber criminals collectively generate thousands of new viruses each year.

Computer virus usually replicate through email. This is because most business users innocently infect their own PC, by either previewing or opening up the body text of an infected business email. They also infect themselves by visiting an infected website, or by leaving security flaws exposed on their PC or web browser.

Antivirus software provides real-time protection whenever a computer is connected to a local network, wireless network, the Internet or a portable storage device. Most antivirus software can automatically update itself using real-time automatically, to protect against ever mutating and unknown viruses. Vendors appoint each new virus discovered its own unique signature, number, definition, or 'dictionary', to match the executable code or rootkit files. To avoid being caught by this dictionary, cyber criminals attempt to stay one step ahead, by slightly altering the characteristics of their existing variant strains. They seek to escape their new virus being classified and crushed by antivirus software. To retaliate to the surge in mutations, program makers also algorithms to classify suspicious looking files (that could be a new and as yet unclassified computer virus).

Upon discovery of a possible threat, most anti virus packages will prompt the user to either allow, quarantine or delete the suspicious file. This sometimes leaves users in a bit of a dilemma. Most of us are not always clear whether an program or system file is genuine or fake. Users frequently innocently quarantine or remove altogether, authentic files that their antivirus software program has identified as a potential threat. This can be a massive problem, when users download and install new business software onto their computer.

Most software vendors provide additional modules, (such as spyware removal, a firewall, productivity tools and privacy cleaners). Unfortunately, most users cannot always keep up with the ever-increasing range of functionality. Sometimes users accidentally 'set rules' which can be misleading or difficult to disentangle. As a result, many business users complain that antivirus software tries to 'take over their computer' and slows it down, constantly prompting them to accept every action.

The highest rated programs globally are currently Norton, Mccaffe, AVG Security and Kaspersky. Avoid free downloads from smaller vendors, as the level of support and updates will not match the global players. Take time to read the vendors own user forums, to get a feel for any user complaints or concerns. Most will come in a software suite that includes a firewall, spyware removal and adware removal modules. Most also offer a free online scanning tools, to demonstrate how the software works.

Most reputable antivirus vendors charge for an annual subscription. This allows the latest updates to be downloaded in real time. Without these updates, the software becomes redundant within weeks of purchasing. There are also many free security tools to download online. However, most will not address the security concerns of most business owners. Most programs will automatically scan for known viruses, and automatically clean up or isolate or quarantine them without user intervention. Most come with automated alerts, to allow users with the opportunity to verify they are satisfied that files are isolated or even deleted from their computer.

Despite all this functionality, no single anti-virus program can guarantee 100% protection against all computer viruses. Therefore, it is prudent to buy one of the globally recognised antivirus programs, plus purchase a second package to supplement any security holes in the first program. Be careful you do not exclude or quarantine files related to each of your antivirus tools.

Many business users get hit by viruses because their PCs are not set up correctly. Below we have listed some basic guidelines and tips, to help you reduce the likelihood your computer will become infected. Most are simple yet effective housekeeping measures:-

• Create Email Policies - as most virus' are spread via email you should focus your efforts here:-
  • Never click on any attachments in email from anybody you do not know.
  • Always identify the sender, by checking the email header that the person is a trusted sender.
  • Add trusted people to your 'safe senders list', using your antivirus software tool.
  • Be extremely careful of emails which are tailored with your name or business name, but are actually from unknown senders.
  • Never have the email preview pane open in Outlook, as you are automatically downloading the email before you have even had a chance to ascertain whether a not it could be malicious.
  • Never click on any links in an email you are not sure about. Many phishing emails try top convince you to click to 'supposedly' login to a familiar banking or social network website (which is simply a clone of the real thing.)
• Automatic Updates On - set your antivirus software program to automatically update itself and scan your computer on a regular basis. Likewise, always set all of your operating system and applications, to allow themselves to update any security patches automatically. In particular, there are many flaws in Adobe reader (which is not updated automatically) will allow viruses, Trojans and worms to conceal themselves in to your hard disk and make the damage.
• Use 'Rules' in Outlook - proactively set rules to move any obvious spam email with malicious keyword straight to your junk email box.
• Turn off JavaScript - when browsing the Internet, check your browser settings have JavaScript turned off. Many malicious websites are innocently downloaded via your browser which accepts JavaScript as something that would ordinarily 'enhance your user experience'.
• Use Privacy Cleaning Tools - download privacy tools such as CCcleaner or Window Washer, and set them to clean your computer every time a browser is closed. This has effect of eliminating all temporary cache files left following your online visits. This in turn reduces the potential for viruses to spread during a reboot.
• Ignore Scare Popup's - never click on pop-ups supposedly from 'antivirus vendors' alerting you that you have just been infected. These are more than likely viruses themselves, trying to scare you into buying their fake software.

Goof luck buying your new anti virus software tool!