Virus and Spyware Protection Systems

Antivirus

Antivirus software is protective software designed to defend your computer against malicious software. Malicious software or “malware” includes: viruses, Trojans, keyloggers, hijackers, dialers, and other code that vandalizes or steals your computer contents. In order to be an effective defense, your antivirus software needs to run in the background at all times, and should be kept updated so it recognizes new versions of malicious software. 

The benefits of running virus-scanning software at the server are many. The principle advantage of this is that maintenance issues like updating signature files are much simpler.  

• Signature Deployment – The antivirus signatures are downloaded at the server and delivered to the client regularly.
• Reporting – You can see at a glance whether or not all of your clients have been updated.
• Client install– New a/v clients can be installed with a couple of clicks from the management console, instead of sticking CDs into each PC.
• Alerts – You can set the management console to notify you any time a virus is detected. This can help you address these issues proactively.
• Manage settings – For example, you can make sure that “Clean” is the default action on all of your installs or prevent users from disabling the scanning software.
• Central Licensing – You don’t have to buy and keep track of individual A/V licenses.

All client computers need antivirus software to identify infected files.  Installing desktop anti-virus software is a top priority when creating a secure system. In these days of Internet worm viruses, a single unprotected computer that has been infected with the Nimda or I Love You virus can bring down your entire network—for days. A centrally managed antivirus system is preferred, but if not available the antivirus software must be installed locally and signature files are updated through the internet.

Many viruses are distributed as attachments or links though email. Email Scanning verifies that email and attachments are free from viruses and other malicious code as you download them from your Internet service provider (ISP). The Outgoing Email Scanning feature verifies that the email that you send is free from viruses and malicious code before you send it.  For small businesses the most effective solution is a server based solution that scans incoming email and quarantines infected messages before they reach the users mailbox.

Antispyware

Spyware is software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user’s interaction with the computer, without the user’s informed consent. While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user’s behavior, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habits, sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, and redirecting Web browser activity. Spyware is known to change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and/or loss of Internet or functionality of other programs. In an attempt to increase the understanding of spyware, a more formal classification of its included software types is captured under the term privacy-invasive software.

Many server based antivirus solutions now provide antispyware protection.  Previously antivirus was not effective at spyware defense and separate antispyware was implemented to provide a higher level of protection. Many server based antivirus solutions provide effective antispyware defense, providing all the benefits of a central managed solution.

If not using a server based solution or an antivirus program that provides effective spyware protection, it is highly recommended to install and maintain a local spyware protection application.

Northeast Computer Services offers several solutions to provide comprehensive virus and spyware protection for your business systems.

Contact us today for a free consultation and pricing.