Sponsored by ANABEL Associates

ANABEL
HOMEPAGE

About Us

Contact us

Ottawa Writing Resources

Netiquette

Virus Information and Resources
( Play it safe... wear a computer condom! )


Anti-Virus Software/Firewalls

Anti-Virus Information

Internet/E-mail frauds and scams (ie. Nigerian)

Reporting I-net/E-mail frauds and scams

PC Mag's Security Watch

Trend's free virus scanner

Virus Hoaxes Information

Warning about attachments

Please advise us if any of the links below do not work. Web sites change often today.

For today's

Click here


The latest virus
security news...
Click on the story
you want to read.


In this day and age of political and electronic terrorism we run the risk of personal attacks both physically and electronically. We can't let the cowardly bastards win. Just as we must not stop travelling, we must not stop using the Internet for both our pleasure and our commerce.

It is tough to protect ourselves from random acts of terrorism when venturing out in the real world... as the September 11 and other recent attacks and threats have shown, but electronically we do have the means to guard against virus invasions, through the use of good anti-virus software and local firewalls.
If people venture out into the Internet today, without having adequate anti-virus software they are fools, plain and simple. Basic protection is affordable and easy to install. This page is meant to help you to protect your computer assets by offering several useful resources, but keep in mind, in today's sophisticated world, even the best of protective measures cannot stop all threats.

Here are some basic steps to start:

DO NOT open any e-mail and or attachments from anyone you do not recognize (unfortunately even well-meaning family members can unknowingly send viruses that attach themselves to files and e-mail messages... particularly Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word software).

DO NOT forward any hoax messages without checking them out first - see below (they are just as annoying as the viruses themselves and tend to clog the internet with useless mail).

DO run your anti-virus scanning software often (with our volume of mail we do this once a day).

DO update your anti-virus software data often (these are free downloadable updates that add new virus names to your existing protection list).


Commercial anti-virus software:
Two of the main anti-virus softwares currently available that work well, and offer automagic downloadable updates, come from: McAfee VirusScan and Symantec (Norton) (Canada). Another software is BitDefender, (formerly AntiVirus eXpert), go to their site and click on "home user". Any good computer or office store (ie. Staples) has these. They are easy to install and well worth the price.

Free anti-virus software:
The following companies offer decent anti-virus software for free: AVG Technologies, AVAST (anti-virus advanced set). These are also easy to install. (NOTE: If you do a Google search using "free antivirus software" you will find several other free anti-virus resources.)

Firewalls:
Firewall protection is important if you have a high-speed connection that is typically a constant hook-up to the Internet. ZoneAlarm and Sygate are personal firewalls that automatically block known and unknown Internet threats, barricading your PC against hackers and data thieves. They are easy to install and use, and have free versions for home use. (NOTE: if you are using more than one computer and have a router, it will aslo act as a firewall, but you have to remember that if you enable a firewall such as one provided by a Microsoft operating system, it might block communications between your computers on a local area network (LAN).

 Back to top 

 

Anti-Virus Information:

  • About's Antivirus Software with Mary Landesman - Everything antivirus, from your Antivirus.About.com guide. Vendor and virus information, history and future of computer viruses. Check out thier section on E-mail viruses: "Viruses can infect simply by reading, or in some cases, previewing, email. Discover what these email infectors are and steps you can take to prevent infection. "
  • Anti-Virus Information Exchange Network (AVIEN) - AVIEN is a grassroots network started from the need of organizations to receive cutting edge information, even if only tentative and general, directly from others, to help prevent infections before they infiltrate;
  • BitDefender - is a provider of PC anti-virus software and computer security services. Their Professional Edition "An advanced virus protection package that includes an on-access scanner, a Mail Monitor, Download Control (web browser) Script Wall and special support for Office 2000. With both real-time virus protection and an on-demand virus scanner you are fully protected from viruses, Trojans, backdoors, logic bombs, macro viruses, and other malicious programs..." Their mission is to ensure the protection of systems against computer viruses, to do antivirus research, to develop new technologies for monitoring all possible ways to infect a system and, last but not least, to educate the IT public of the danger of computer viruses.
  • Central Command - is a provider of PC anti-virus software and computer security services.
  • CNET's Virus Alert page - Knowledge is the best defense against e-mail viruses. Now, you can keep up-to-date on the latest e-mail viruses courtesy of CNET's Virus Alert page. Checking this page periodically can help you spot virus-laden e-mail attachments. Remember to be cautious of any unsolicited e-mail attachments, even if they come from people you know. What else can you do to protect your computer from viruses? The Virus Alert page also gives you a wealth of instructions and advice for protecting your computer, handheld, and even your chat application from infection.
  • Computer Associates - Virus Information Center - The Virus Information Center serves as a rich, up-to-the-minute resource, containing detailed information on viruses, worms, Trojans, and hoaxes, as well as valuable documentation on the implementation of comprehensive antivirus protection. CA’s eTrust Global Antivirus Research Centers monitor around-the-clock to defend against the damaging effects a virus outbreak could cause.
  • Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) - The CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC) is a center of Internet security expertise, (an online security watchdog) at the Software Engineering Institute, a federally funded research and development center operated by Carnegie Mellon University. We study Internet security vulnerabilities, handle computer security incidents, publish security alerts, research long-term changes in networked systems, and develop information and training to help you improve security at your site.
  • McAfee Virus Information Library - More than 58,000 virus threats exist today. The McAfee AVERT Virus Information Library has detailed information on where viruses come from, how they infect your system, and how to remove them;
  • MessageLabs - is a provider of Internet-level managed email security services, protecting customers from email-borne threats such as viruses, unsolicited mail, malicious and sensitive content and pornography, before such content comes anywhere near their network boundaries.
  • SecurityFocus.com - SecurityFocus.com is aprovider of security information services for business. It is designed to facilitate discussion on security related topics, create security awareness, and to provide the Internet's largest and most comprehensive database of security knowledge and resources freely available to the public.
  • Sensible Security Solutions - Canada's anti-virus professionals, "Providing corporate and government organizations with enterprise-level anti-virus solutions."
  • Symantec - is a world leader in Internet security technology and provides a broad range of content and network security solutions to individuals and enterprises. The company is a leading provider of virus protection, vulnerability assessment, intrusion prevention, Internet content and e-mail filtering, remote management technologies and security services to enterprises around the world. Symantec's Norton brand of consumer security products leads the market in worldwide retail sales and industry awards.
  • Symantec's AntiVirus Research Center(SARC) - Provides latest virus threats and security advisories, virus definitions, removal tools and loads of reference material. RECOMMENDED!
  • Symantec's AntiVirus Download area - This link will allow you to download the latest virus definitions.
  • Trend Micro - specializes in network antivirus and Internet security software and services. Its solutions protect the flow of information on PCs, file servers, email servers and at the Internet gateway, providing a complete, centrally-controlled VirusWall for enterprise networks.
  • ViraLock anti-virus software prevents the spread of e-mail viruses and worms like Klez, Sircam, Magistr, Nimda and others, allowing them no escape from an infected computer. Unlike traditional anti-virus software like Norton AntiVirus and McAfee VirusScan which blocks known viruses from coming in, ViraLock makes certain that all viruses, known or unknown, are unable to get out. ViraLock works seamlessly alongside your traditional anti-virus software to give you complete protection.

 Back to top 

Internet/E-mail frauds and scams (ie. Nigerian):

 Back to top 

Reporting Internet/E-mail frauds and scams:

 Back to top 

PC Magazine's Security Watch:

 Back to top 

Trend Micro's free online virus scanner:

 Back to top 

Virus Hoaxes Information:

  • Hoaxbusters - A public service of the DOE-CIRC (U.S. Department of Energy Cyber Incident Response Capability). Their pages describe some of the warnings, offers, and pleas for help that are filling our mailboxes, clogging our mailservers, and that generally do not have any basis in fact. In addition to describing hoaxes and chain letters found on the Internet, we will discuss how to recognize hoaxes, what to do about them, and some of the history of hoaxes on the Internet;
  • Hoax-slayer - Hoax-Slayer is dedicated to debunking email hoaxes, thwarting Internet scammers, combating spam, and educating web users about email and Internet security issues. Hoax-Slayer allows Internet users to check the veracity of common email hoaxes and aims to counteract criminal activity by publishing information about common types of Internet scams. Hoax-Slayer also includes anti-spam tips, computer and email security information, articles about true email forwards, and much more. New articles are added to the Hoax-Slayer website every week.
  • McAfee Virus Hoax Page - There are a lot of viruses out there. But some aren't really out there at all. Virus hoaxes are more than mere annoyances, as they may lead some users to routinely ignore all virus warning messages, leaving them vulnerable to a genuine, destructive virus. Next time you receive an urgent virus warning message, be sure to check the list of known virus hoaxes..
  • Snopes Web Site - Urban Legends
  • Sophos Hoaxes - Virus hoaxes are false reports about non-existent viruses, often claiming to do impossible things. Unfortunately some recipients occasionally believe a hoax to be a true virus warning and may take drastic action (such as shutting down their network). Sophos provides information about virus hoaxes to assist companies and individuals. Although we do provide information about some non-virus-related hoaxes, chain letters, scams and misunderstandings, the primary aim of this section of the website is to provide information about hoaxes which are virus-related.
  • Symantec's Threat Explorer - The Threat Explorer is a comprehensive resource for daily, accurate and up-to-date information on the latest threats, risks and vulnerabilities. This site is just overflowing with information about various urban myths, legends and virus hoaxes;
  • VMyths.com for more virus hoax information;

 Back to top 

End of virus news

Do you have a link you would like to add to this list? Send us an e-mail: patrick [at] anabelassociates.com

ANABEL
HOMEPAGE

About Us

Contact us

Ottawa Writing Resources

Netiquette

~ Sponsored by ANABEL Associates © ~
Translation - English to French
Disclaimer