VIRUS Protection ARE YOU SAFE?

THIS IS A MUST READ

A raft of viruses have been making the rounds amongst KWARC members.  It has been awhile since we have covered Virus protection so here goes.

First of all never open an attachment regardless of who it is from when the file extension contains a .EXE  .COM  .SCR  .PIF  .BAT  .VBS  Most viruses are contained in email from your close friends who are unaware that they are sending these messages. 

Keeping the above in mind be absolutely sure that your PC allows you to view full extensions. This can be done by…

• Open Windows Explorer by right clicking the START button and clicking on Explore. 

• Now click the VIEW then FOLDER OPTIONS then VIEW tab.

• Be sure the box called "Hide file extensions for known file types" is UNCHECKED.

For some strange reason by default (surprise), Microsoft hides file extensions. This allows virus writers to create viruses that appear safe by giving a file name such as "pet pictures.doc.bat" If you have not unchecked the box mentioned above you would only see this virus file as "pet pictures.doc" which looks like a Microsoft Word file when in fact it is actually a batch file that will run the virus. See the adjacent image showing the 14 viruses that Norton has caught so far this month on my system. You can see that each one attempts to hide the true payload name.

It is so important that everyone who connects to the internet have a current version of Norton 2001/2002 on their system. Why do i recommend Norton? Norton automatically downloads updates as soon as you connect to the net. And with the 2002 version it not only scans in bound email it also scans outbound to make sure if something infects you from a source other than the net you will not send it to others via email.

The cost of having your system cleaned by your computer firm will be far more than the cost of the current version of Norton. And when the 1 yr subscription expires be sure to renew or purchase the next years update. Usually the improvements made make it worth re-purchasing rather than renewing the subscription.

Cost varies but usually is in the $30 - $70 range depending on rebates so be sure to shop around.

As a matter of interest have a look at my Norton Activity log for just the first 3 weeks of November. Click this link.   It will open a new window.

Late note:

As I was just finishing this issue of the Kilowatter (Nov 25th) another new Virus arrived as an attachment.  When I checked the Norton (Symantec) web site I discovered that this virus was only identified yesterday.  

What a perfect lesson on why virus definitions need to be kept up-to-date.

This particular virus is very nasty as it plants a Trojan horse that sends keystrokes back to the originator allowing your passwords, bank passwords etc to be sent from your PC

Here the info from Norton on this virus http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.badtrans.b@mm.html 

Having a good Virus Scanner on your system IS NO LONGER AN OPTION.  With the huge acceptance of the internet it is JUST A MATTER of time before you become infected unless you inoculate your system NOW with CURRENT Anti-Virus software that is automatically kept up-to-date.

Paul VE3SY

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