| Installing a reliable anti-virus protection on your | | | | preventing them from installing those "notorious |
| computer or server is a must nowadays, no matter | | | | freeware" on the corporate computers. Such |
| what operating systems you are using, as new viruses | | | | freeware is usually laden with spyware or malware |
| are appearing out of nowhere everyday. I would rather | | | | that lay dormant on computers waiting for the right |
| be safe than sorry. That is why protection your | | | | opportunity to "erupt". |
| corporate server is also a top priority for any IT | | | | Another common method to limit the chances infection |
| department anywhere in the world, especially they are | | | | is to constantly keeping the operating systems |
| the gateway to the wide world of internet. | | | | updated with latest security patches. Despite the |
| It is known that viruses attack servers as well as | | | | advancement of Windows operating systems, |
| network equipment along the grid that links each | | | | occasionally there are reports of security loopholes |
| individual office computers. Any access of web, FTP, | | | | being discovered by hackers and this poses a problem |
| e-mail or instant messaging means chances of | | | | if these holes are not covered with updating patches. |
| infection at anytime. Together with firewall, anti-virus on | | | | Nowadays, I have even come across companies that |
| corporate server keep your corporate network safe | | | | ban their employees from bringing their own |
| from attacks. | | | | thumbdrives to the office working environment as |
| Why are such large-scale servers and networks | | | | such portable drives could be a source of troubles too. |
| targets of virus attacks? It is easy to deduce because | | | | Another common way is preventing booting from or |
| up to thousands of users could be affected and the | | | | loading software from CD's, DVD's or portable disks |
| scale of impact so potent that it makes the virus | | | | that have not been scanned for viruses. If a single file |
| programmers basking in delight for the successful hits. | | | | on one of those disks contains a virus, it can spread |
| All end users have moral responsibility to keep their | | | | like wildfire. |
| network safe so that productive resources will not be | | | | On the whole, it is important that the IT department |
| drained to recover from attacks. | | | | maps out a stringent yet fair set of security measures |
| It is not possible to enforce draconian measures on | | | | and making sure all employees comply to it. At the |
| each users therefore the responsibility of the IT | | | | same time, servers and hardware have to be |
| administrators is heavy as any lack of attention on | | | | constantly updated with patches as viruses are getting |
| their part could mean troubles. One good way is to | | | | smarter. It is a responsibility of everyone to ensure a |
| prevent the end-users from installing software thus | | | | productive working environment. |