Virus protection

Viruses can enter a computer system through any connection with the outside world.

These include :-

• Network connections

• E-mail attachments

• Internet files - including web pages

• Removable disks brought in from outside

• Modems

• Infected application software

• Data files, especially if they contain macro`s

There is no absolute method of preventing virus infection.

However the risk can be substantially reduced by measures such as :-

• Active virus protection on each computer

• Automatic destruction of incoming e-mail attachments - information should be pasted into e-mails, not attached

• A strict policy on the use of floppy disks - in some organisations, bringing in unofficial floppy disks is a sackable offence

• Using only reliably sourced application software

• Minimising access to the internet

• Using firewalls

© 1998 Ron Turner

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