How To Protect Yourself - McAfee VIRUSSCAN 5.1 User Manual

Preface

How to protect yourself

McAfee VirusScan's anti-virus software already gives you an important
bulwark against infection and damage to your data, but anti-virus software is
only one part of the security measures you should take to protect yourself.
Anti-virus software, moreover, is only as good as its latest update. Because as
many as 200 to 300 viruses and variants appear each month, the virus
definition (.DAT) files that enable McAfee VirusScan's software to detect and
remove viruses can get quickly outdated. If you have not updated the files that
originally came with your software, you could risk infection from newly
emerging viruses. McAfee VirusScan's Software has, however, assembled the
world's largest and most experienced anti-virus research staff in its Anti-Virus
Emergency Response Team (AVERT)*. This means that the files you need to
combat new viruses appear as soon as—and often before—you need them.
Most other security measures are common sense—checking disks you receive
from unknown or questionable sources, either with anti-virus software or
some kind of verification utility, is always a good idea. Malicious
programmers have gone so far as to mimic the programs you trust to guard
your computer, pasting a familiar face on software with a less-than-friendly
purpose. Neither McAfee VirusScan's nor any other anti-virus software,
however, can detect when someone substitutes an as-yet unidentified Trojan
horse or other malicious program for one of your favorite shareware or
commercial utilities—that is, until after the fact.
Web and Internet access poses its own risks. VirusScan* anti-virus software
gives you the ability to block dangerous web sites so that users can't
inadvertently download malicious software from known hazards; it also
catches hostile objects that get downloaded anyway. But having a top-notch
firewall in place to protect your network and implementing other network
security measures is a necessity when unscrupulous attackers can penetrate
your network from nearly any point on the globe, whether to steal sensitive
data or implant malicious code. You should also make sure that your network
is not accessible to unauthorized users, and that you have an adequate training
program in place to teach and enforce security standards. To learn about the
origin, behavior and other characteristics of particular viruses, consult the
Virus Information Library maintained on the AVERT website.
McAfee VirusScan Software can provide you with other powerful software in
the Active Virus Defense* (AVD) and Total Virus Defense (TVD) suites, the
most comprehensive anti-virus solutions available. Related companies within
the Network Associates family provide other technologies that also help to
protect your network, including the PGP Security CyberCop product line, and
the Sniffer Technologies network monitoring product suite. Contact your
Network Associates representative, or visit the Network Associates website,
to find out how to enlist the power of these security solutions on your side.
User's Guide xv