View the slide presentation from PCC's Keeping Your PCs Healthy, Secure, and Virus-Free in PDF format.

Can my Partner server get a virus?

Your PCC Partner Server runs either the Linux or AIX operating system. The vast majority of viruses are written for the Windows™ operating system and the overwhelming majority of virus infections and compromised systems come from Windows machines. Viruses written for Windows can't generally be run and won't infect the operating system on your PCC Partner Server. Additionally, the Linux operating system has many security features that Windows systems do not have, or commonly do not have enabled, that make it difficult for viruses to be opened, grow, and spread across your network. No PCC Server or PCC Partner Server running the Linux operating system has ever been infected with a virus. Note, however, that Windows files stored on your Partner server - such as in a Common Directory - can be infected by Windows machines on your network and will need to be disinfected and protected as though they were on a typical Windows system.

Where do viruses come from?

Viruses are commonly spread through e-mail. Another way of getting a virus is to download files and programs from the Internet. Free programs are tempting, but watch out, you may get more than you bargained for! Also, removable media such as CDs and floppy disks can spread viruses. If your friend's system has a virus and they make you a file on CD or floppy disk, viruses could come along with that CD or floppy. Removable media is also a popular way for friends to share free programs downloaded from the Internet...including those that have viruses.

Is text-only e-mail safer?

If you are using a text-only e-mail program from within a Partner window, such as pine or elm, you are safe from viruses that are transmitted through e-mail. Most viruses depend on the security flaws built into Window-based mail programs, particularly Outlook and Outlook Express.

To make it easy for you to use text-only e-mail programs, PCC sends e-mail to you in plain text. Our messages to you will always be readable in your text-only e-mail programs. PCC does not normally send you attachments. On the rare occasion when we need to send you an attachment, we will call you and let you know to look for it. Do not open an attachment from anyone, even PCC, if you have not been told to expect it.

What if I want to use a graphical e-mail client?

If you use a graphical e-mail program (like Outlook, Netscape, Thunderbirdor Mozilla) you need to be particularly careful about opening attachments. Opening attachments from an e-mail program is one of the most common ways to infect your PC with a virus. Your graphical e-mail programs should be configured to require your permission to open attachments: never configure attachments to open automatically! Being careful about opening attachments means that you need to educate yourself about the most recently discovered and most popular viruses so you can identify messages that contain viruses and delete them without opening them.

How do I know a virus when I see one?

If your machine begins to behave strangely, give you messages that do not make sense, slow down considerably, or otherwise act in a manner you do not expect, you may have a virus.

The chart to the right is a resource developed by Symantec, one of the leading virus protection companies. You can use it to educate yourself about the most recently discovered and the most popular viruses. Click on any virus name to view more information about how each virus presents itself so you can learn how to identify these viruses on sight and delete them before they can infect your system. Information about what to do if your system is infected is also provided.

What do I need to do to prevent viruses?

First and foremost, each and every PC in your office needs to have virus protection software loaded on it. While PCC does not endorse any specific product, both Symantec and McAfee Security provide very complete virus protection systems.

Second, PCs that access the Internet without using PCC's Server should have some kind of firewall installed. PCC's Server provides firewall protection for you, but many offices do not take advantage of it. Again, PCC does not recommend a particular product, but ZoneAlarm has a nifty product in addition to products from the companies named above.

Third, and most important, make sure that all of your virus, firewall, and PC OS software is updated frequently - and that means weekly, at least. PCC routinely finds PCs on which the Windows Update feature has not been used in months, if at all.

(To access Windows Update, look in the Start Menu on each Windows machine. Keep running it until it indicates that you are out of updates!)