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You will have
heard some real horror stories recently concerning virus
attack. Ignorance of basic principles has caused many
hours downtime, please read on and make sure you are
fully protected.
Anti virus software typically is
a subscription service and it comes with several
components:-
The virus engine which is loaded
onto each PC, this software understands the ways in
which a virus can work.
The virus definition files, these contain the specific
characteristics of each virus.
A module that runs on the main Server protecting shared
drives
A module that runs on the E-mail Server scanning
incoming mail.
Most Practice Net customers use
Sophos for their virus protection but the same
principles apply to most products on the market, these
are: -
Buy the best and most
suitable product
Register the product
Maintain your subscription to the service
Familiarise yourself with the operation of the
particular product. Does it download all the
components from the Internet or just some.
Make sure both the virus
engine and the virus definition files are kept
up to date. Ideally done daily it should be both
an automatic and an unattended procedure. (Ask
yourself what happens during holidays.)
Routinely check the
version on the PC’s to ensure that any method of
central upgrade is working.
Give consideration to ensure
mobile (Laptop) users are included in the set up and
update procedure.
There are a number of anti-virus
products available but not all are trouble free.
Examples include: -
Have you ever had a
program that stopped working when the anti virus
software was updated, we have seen this
frequently, and it’s the last thing you need
when you’re under pressure.
Another anti-virus product slows down PC’s to
the point where they are almost useless.
One package required
that every PC in the network needed access to
the Internet to get updates – not always that
practical!
A worrying trend is
that Insurance companies have been increasingly
excluding problems due to computer virus, make sure you
are safe.
We have considerable experience
of configuring all of the major anti-virus packages, and
can offer advice and help with these. An annual
agreement with Practice Net provides telephone help and
advice on the installation, configuration and resolution
of virus attack
Four
years ago Practice Net adopted U.K. based Sophos as its
preferred supplier of anti virus software. These
products have demonstrated a significantly less
disruptive influence on PC’s and networks than other
products available.
Another plus for Sophos
users is Enterprise Manager. With this breakthrough
product you can schedule downloads for not only the IDE
(virus definition ) files but distribution of the
software itself… all automatically !
Apart from many firms of
Accountants thousands of companies are protected, they
include: -
Marks & Spencer
Orange
Sainsbury’s
Slumberland
Toshiba
For advice or a
quotation or to order anti-virus software from Practice
Net Call Now on +44(0)29 2083 7426 or
e-mail |
