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Revision of "The Seven Basic Anti-Virus Measures for PC Users"

April 6, 2001

ISEC
Information-technology Promotion Agency

Recently, the number of viruses that use email to propagate or Trojan type of virus is rapidly increasing. At the same time, the number of PC beginners is also increasing and the lack of their PC security awareness is noticeable. Thus, to prevent further virus damage and recurrence of infection, we revised "The seven basic anti-virus measures for PC users" that meet the needs of the current situation. They are as follows:

Highlight of the revision

Keywords:

Update virus pattern files
Security function
Security hole & patch
Back-up

  1. Have the latest antivirus program by "updating virus pattern files".
  2. Make the most use of "security function" of application program and set them to most appropriate security level.
  3. Be aware of "security holes (vulnerabilities)" for internet-related program (mailer or browser). Apply appropreate "security patch". This is very important not only for preventing unauthorized access but also for antivirus purpose.
  4. Back-up your data to make possible to recover your system in case of virus damage.
Reference:

The Seven Basic Anti-Virus Measures for PC Users (Updated)

April 6, 2001

ISEC
Information-technology Promotion Agency

  1. Use the latest anti-virus product by updating virus pattern files frequently

    To detect and prevent new virus, it is very important to use the latest antivirus program with its virus pattern files most updated. You should always check the latest version of virus pattern file by visiting antivirus companies' website regularly. Please note that pre-installed version of antivirus program usually limit its functions and period of service. You should upgrade it to official and latest version of the program.

  2. Check the attachment files with antivirus program anytime before opening them

    If you receive email with attachment file, you should always scan the file for viruses. Conversely, you need to scan the file before you send them out via email.

  3. Check the downloaded programs with antivirus program anytime before executing them

    You should always scan the files and programs that you download from internet. You should also avoid downloading files from unreliable websites because they sometimes contain destructive or damaging programs (such as the ones that set your PC to automatically make international telephone calls or Dial Q2. Such programs will not be detected by antivirus programs in most cases.)

  4. Make the most use of "security function" of application program

    Set the security function of applications properly. For example, Microsoft Word and Excel have "Macro virus Protection" option that disables automatic macro execution. Also, set the security level of your mailer and internet browser to proper level ("Medium" or higher). That should prevent virus damage.

  5. Apply appropreate security patch

    Although you practice basic antivirus methods, there is a possibility for you to get virus if you use programs with security vulnerabilities. For example, security hole of mailer that allows automatic execution of email attachments will increase the danger of virus infection. These vulnerabilities are found and published quite often, so you should visit websites of vendors for your program (specially mailers and internet browser) regularly and should apply appropreate security patch.

  6. Don't overlook symptoms of virus infection

    Scan your system with antivirus program when you notice following symptoms and you feel you have virus:

    1. Your system or application hang ups quite often. Or you can't start the system.
    2. Files are lost and unfamiliar files are created.
    3. Strange icons are created in the task bar etc.
    4. Weird message is displayed.
    5. PC automatically connects to internet regardless of your will.
    6. You don't know what it is but you feel something is wrong

  7. Create back-up copy of your data to prevent damage

    Antivirus program can't restore or repair data destroyed by virus. You should make habit of creating backup copies of your data just in case you get infected by virus. You should also save the original program of your application on either FD or CD. That way you can restore your data by reinstalling the originals even if the virus destroys your hard disk.

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