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Preface
How to protect yourself
McAfee 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 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outdated.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 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 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 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
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