Defending your Mac against viruses

How to avoid computer viruses

What Is a Computer Virus?

Viruses vary in sophistication but usually spread surreptitiously and are designed to hide themselves. A virus can do significant damage. Some slow the operation of the computer while others may erase files or reformat a hard drive. Some viruses are created as relatively harmless pranks, causing the computer to show a message or to beep. Even these "innocuous" viruses are damaging because they degrade computer performance and waste your time detecting and removing them-and perhaps damage your reputation should you inadvertently infect others.

How Infection Occurs

How to Protect Against Infection

• Only open e-mail attachments received from sources you trust and that you are expecting.
• Back up your hard drive files frequently and maintain multiple backup sets.
• If you are experiencing unusually slow performance, apparent file loss or damage, or other abnormalities, immediately check your hard drives and diskettes for infection.
• Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
• Download software only from sites you are familiar with, and immediately check it with your anti-virus software.
• Don't spread hoaxes and rumors. There are a number of urban legends and other reports of fake email viruses; these cause unneeded panic. If someone sends you an email warning of a virus, please check with the Virus Busters site first before forwarding the message to everyone you know. They maintain a list of known hoaxes, and can save you the embarrassment of panicking everyone on your email address book. If you don't see the virus you are checking on, please feel free to ask them; they are open to all comers.

For further information, also see: http://www.itd.umich.edu/virusbusters/

[Ali's note: the preceding information comes from the following website:]

http://www.soe.umich.edu/computingnetwork/howto/avoidviruses/

(Last Modified: December 8, 2003 11:13 AM University of Michigan School of Education 610 East University Avenue Ê Ann Arbor Ê Michigan Ê 48109-1259 (734) 764-7563 Copyright 2004 Regents of the University of Michigan)

THE MACLINK PRESENTS:

Virus protection software

Commercial:

1. NORTON ANTIVIRUS Top selling Mac anti-virus software in the world, according to PC Data.
2. VIREX Second biggest commercial software for the Mac. Web site needs a revamp to improve access to updates.
3. SOPHOS ANTIVIRUS Newcomer to the Mac market with a promising reputation
4. Tech Tool Pro 3.07[Ali's note: I don't know why this guy included Tech Tool Pro; it's not an anti-virus program. it's a utility for repairing your Mac software problems]

Shareware

1. BUGSCAN Offers protection against Autostart and SevenDust viruses.

Freeware

1. AGAX Autostart protection.and others.
2. DELPROTECT Protects unauthorized file deletes
3. DISINFECTANT 3.7.1 68k application. It hasn't been updated for several years but gives solid protection against a huge variety of viruses nevertheless. It can no longer compete with the commercial alternatives like nortons and Virex - but better than a poke in the eye with a sharp biro.
4. ERADICATOR Autostart worm protection.
5. GATEKEEPER 1.30 No longer updated, it conflicts with recent MacOS system... so maybe best left alone unless using System 7.0
6. MAILZONE Blocks email viruses and additionally filters unwanted SPAM
7. THE EXORCIST Protection from SevenDust virus.
8. MERRYXMAS VACCINE 3.3 HyperCard users might find this worthwhile.
9. WORMFOOD Autostart worm.
10. WORM GOBBLER Autostart 9805
11. TRACKER INIT Generic antivirus suspicious behavior blocker, something like Gatekeeper or SAM Intercept "lite". Not as sophisticated but gets the job done.

FIRST AID (SOS!!)

1. Most Mac viruses can be easily cured. As with all Mac problems, and as the good Mac Bible says "Don't panic!"
2. Make a mental note or scribble down anything you recently installed or downloaded but don't open any more files to investigate.
3. Turn off your Mac.
4. Start your Mac from a System CD or a Norton's CD or from a locked external drive with Extensions off .
5. Run your virus protection software. You must also scan all removable disks or floppies, and even CDRs that were in contact with the virus.Your anti virus software should now proceed to detect and kill all infestations. You might, for example, note with grim satisfaction that dodgy large Word Macro sent by a friend (sic) you installed only minutes earlier getting gobbled up.
6. Run your preferred disk repair application. Apple supply their own freebie with their OS - Nortons Utilities is somewhat better.
7. If you can replace or reinstall them easily, delete all corrupted files. If System files have been corrupted you should do a clean install. i.e. reinstall your system software following carefully instructions provided.
8. Go to your Control folder and choose your internal HD that 99.9% for sure holds your normal operating system folder (unless you've a wacky customised way of working) as start-up disc and then select restart in the normal way from your main menu bar.

http://www.maclink.co.uk/
©MacLink Feb'2000

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