September 7, 2000
Information-technology Promotion Agency

7 Basic Anti-Virus Measures for PC Users

1. Use the latest anti-virus product.
Install an anti-virus product and always check for virus. Since new virus is found every day, you should always keep the virus pattern files of your anti-virus program updated. It is particularly important because a preinstalled anti-virus product with an old virus pattern files will not be able to detect new virus in most cases. Make effective use of anti-virus products that can disinfect virus.

2. Create backup copy of your data to avoid virus damage.
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.

3. Be aware of virus symptoms. Always scan the system if you feel you have virus.

• PC suddenly stops while using

• You can't start your PC

• Files are lost or unfamiliar files are created

• Size or timestamp of program is different from the original one

• There seems to be strange access to the disks

• Unintended emails are sent out automatically

• You don't know what it is but you feel something is wrong

• While using MSWord or MSExcel:

  • strange dialog box is displayed
  • contents of the document is modified automatically
  • you can't see or modify your macros
  • it starts unwanted printing

4. Always scan the email attachment file before opening.
When you receive an email with attachment file, always scan it before opening. You should also make habit of scanning the file when you are to send an attachment file.

5. Don't run the macro automatically if there is any possibility of virus infection.
Recently, the number of MSWord/MSExcel macro virus infection is rapidly increasing. To avoid macro virus infection, you should use built-in security functions such as turning off the macro function when opening the document.

6. Always scan FD or programs that are brought from outside or downloaded.
You should always scan the files that you download from the internet. If they are compressed files, scan them after you decompress them. Make effective use of anti-virus products that can scan the compressed files.

Also, you should avoid downloading or running files from unreliable sites. They might contain malicious program that damages users or Trojan Horse which anti-virus products don't detect.

7. Establish a management system for PC that have multiple user accounts.
In the office environment, check the usage of computers that have multiple user accounts, and manage the user information such as date, time and name etc.