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 Tech Advisory –
TA05
Virus Checking ...
Free
The Virus & Trojan Horse Concern
1.
Introduction
Of concern to the Seniors, in our Volunteer
Organization, is the continuing threat of acquiring a “Virus” or
threading a “Trojan Horse” thru our network of “contacts” that we keep
in our Address Books. Some folks have
contacted us to let us know that they have received notice that a virus is
embedded in their system!! What to
do??
2.
Should I Have A
Concern?
If you use Windows XP, and you
have installed one of the Industry Standard “Virus Detection” packages, i.e., Symantec/Norton,
McAfee, or Zone Alarm from Gibson Research, (there are others) and you keep
them updated . . . you probably don’t have to be concerned! If you are one who does not have the time
to keep your “Virus Checker” up-to-date, with checks for the latest known viruses, (or maybe
you’re not paid up) and you are getting periodic “Virus Notices”, or
an increase in “Spoofed E-mail” and “Phishing Notices”, it would be advisable
for you to follow the instructions presented in this Technical Advisory!!
3. La Mirada Learning Center Website
Support
The earlier
“Technical Advisories” are posted on the La Mirada Seniornet Website – www.lmseniornet.com , under the “Tech Info” Section, and
may be referenced for clarification of names & terms used throughout this
Technical Advisory. We will also use
this “Section” to get to the Symantec Virus Analysis & Support in the “Symantec
Security Response Center”.
Although there are many sources for “Virus
identification” and “Hoax descriptions”, this advisory will work with the
Symantec version of dealing with this problem. In addition to keeping you
informed, on a daily basis, what the latest viruses are, you can visit
the Symantec Security Section to find a “FREE ON-LINE VIRUS CHECK” for
your Computer System.
4. Accessing The Symantec Solution
We have tried
to make it quite easy to work with the Symantec Website, to which you can “go
direct” by typing the URL – security.symantec.com
in your browser address bar and click “Go”!
You will be
taken to the Symantec Security Check web page where you will see the
capability of running either a Security Scan or a Virus Detection exercise
on your Computer System. Since our
goal is to take advantage of their offer for a “Free Virus Check on
Demand”, you will choose the “Virus Detection” option and click
the “Start” button.
Follow the instructions closely. Use “Virus Detection”/”Start” only.
The Virus Check will require new “Active-X” controls to perform its
function. This can be a 20-30
minute download, if you’re on a dial-up network connection, so BE PATIENT! There
will be a couple of “Security Warning” dialog boxes come up …..
ANSWER “INSTALL” and continue.
You may also be asked to give your “consent” in order to install the
latest Virus Searches. Once the
download completes, the Virus Check will begin! You will receive a report, of all detected Viruses and
Trojan Horses, on your Monitor Screen!
This
report should always read … “Free of Risk”!!
5. Conclusion
The frequency
of new viruses has been on the upswing!
If you have missed your upgrades, or have not “renewed” your
agreement, The Symantec FREE Virus Check is probably the way to
go! You will get a complete review of
your “File System” and your “Registry” with checks for the latest
(the last 24 hours) known viruses included in the search!
If the “Virus Check Report” has a lot of stuff in
it ….. “highlight it” then “print it” and bring the list in to the Learning
Center Lab! One of the Senior Techs
can take a look at the list to determine what should be done!
Have Fun! … Keep your system clean! Run Spybot!
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