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Still others open "back doors" into desktop systems or create security holes in
a way that closely resembles a deliberate attempt at network penetration,
rather than the more random mayhem that most viruses tend to leave in their
wakes.
The latest VirusScan software releases, as a consequence, do not simply wait
for viruses to appear on your system, they scan proactively at the source or
work to deflect hostile agents away from your system. The VShield scanner
that comes with VirusScan software has three modules that concentrate on
agents that arrive from the Internet, that spread via e-mail, or that lurk on
Internet sites. It can look for particular Java and ActiveX objects that pose a
threat, or block access to dangerous Internet sites. Meanwhile, an E-Mail Scan
extension to Microsoft Exchange e-mail clients, such as Microsoft Outlook, can
"x-ray" your mailbox on the server, looking for malicious agents before they
arrive on your desktop.
VirusScan software even protects itself against attempts to use its own
functionality against your computer. Some virus writers embed their viruses
inside documents that, in turn, they embed in other files in an attempt to evade
detection. Still others take this technique to an absurd extreme, constructing
highly recursive—and very large—compressed archive files in an attempt to
tie up the scanner as it digs through the file looking for infections. VirusScan
software accurately scans the majority of popular compressed file and archive
file formats, but it also includes logic that keeps it from getting trapped in an
endless hunt for a virus chimera.
What comes with VirusScan software?
VirusScan software consists of several components that combine one or more
related programs, each of which play a part in defending your computer
against viruses and other malicious software. The components are:
• The VirusScan application. This component gives you unmatched control
over your scanning operations. You can configure and start a scan
operation at any time—a feature known as "on-demand" scanning—
specify local and network disks as scan targets, tell the application how to
respond to any infections it finds, and see reports on its actions. You can
start with the VirusScan Classic window, a basic configuration mode, then
move to the VirusScan Advanced mode for maximum flexibility. A related
Windows shell extension lets you right-click any object on your system to
scan it.
• The VirusScan Console. This component allows you to create, configure
and run VirusScan tasks at times you specify. A "task" can include
anything from running a scan operation on a set of disks at a specific time
or interval, to running an update or upgrade operation. You can also enable
or disable the VShield scanner from the Console window.
See "Using the VirusScan application" on page 161
About VirusScan Software
for details.
User's Guide
27
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