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Computer Services in New York City and surrounding areas

Viruses, Firewalls and Security

Dead computers—computers that just keep restarting, operating systems that cannot be started or booted into, infected memories and corrupted drives - THIS HAPPENS A LOT!
Viruses, worms and other malware enter via emails, downloads and file exchange. They interfere with your files, applications, hard drive, memory or other hardware.
Many are programmed not to take effect immediately, so you may pass them onto other computers without being aware of it.

Everyone needs to:

• Install a Firewall, this helps in eliminating intrusion from unwanted visitors.
• Make sure your anti-virus software is UP TO DATE, otherwise it can't protect you, new viruses, worms and malware come out almost daily. If you use the internet daily, then update your anti-virus when you log on, it only takes a few moments.
• If you use a Windows or Vista or OSX, enable automatic updates or do manual updates at least once a week to make sure you have the latest security "hotfixes" from the Microsoft/Apple site.
• If you are running networked machines, don't let anyone connect their laptop until after it has been scanned by the IT dept for viruses and malware
• Instant messenger and the like can allow viruses to infect your system by enabling remote access control by a third party

Protect your important information - do back-up storage from your hard drives, either to tape or another external drive (see our storage tips page) REGULARLY.
Consider backing up emails in case you need to refer to them in the future (in a law suit, JP Morgan was fined for having lost stored emails). There are specific programs out there for backing up emails.
If your computer has viruses, they will transfer onto your back-up!

ABOUT FIREWALLS:

In order to protect your data, you need to protect your computer by adding a Firewall. Without a firewall, the next big worm could find your PC and embark on a feeding frenzy, gulping down years' worth of data in a matter of milliseconds. With a firewall, the worm comes tapping at your computer (represented on the Internet by its IP address) and hears no answer; Routers also provide protection similar to this (NAT translation). You've just avoided a major headache.

Firewalls come as software and as hardware and both used together will prevent your valuable data from threats of many types.

GOOD SECURITY: Also means you have to be aware who has access to your computer data and what level of access you allow them. Do you password protect your sensitive files? Do your employees know what data they can and cannot copy or give out?

IT managers need to learn how to explain the nature of the risk to business managers:
IT managers deploy active systems that scan networks for suspect activity.
Security systems should be integrated - if the antivirus system detects a virus that is known to open up a backdoor, then the firewall needs to know about it. To date, companies can only take reactive measures against external security threats using firewalls and patches. These systems do not anticipate attacks but respond to known attacks. So the unexpected is always a risk.