Guide:Home Computer Security

Guide:
Home Computer Security

Task 1 - Install and Use Anti-Virus Programs
Task 2 - Keep Your System Patched
Task 3 - Use Care When Reading Email with Attachments
Task 4 - Install and Use a Firewall Program
Task 5 - Make Backups of Important Files and Folders
Task 6 - Use Strong Passwords
Task 7 - Use Care When Downloading and Installing Programs
Task 8 - Install and Use a Hardware Firewall
Task 9 - Install and Use a File Encryption Program and Access Controls


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Task 1 - Install and Use Anti-Virus Programs


The first window in this section shows the main window for Norton AntiVirus 2002 or later. Through this window, you find the answers to the courthouse tests. You can get to this window through

StartProgramsNorton AntiVirusNorton AntiVirus 2002.


The first test is the demand test. Norton’s product changes the menu options for Windows Explorer File Browser so that you can check a file or folder on demand. To do this checking, first go to the folder that contains the file you wish to scan. Next, select the file and then click on that file with the right mouse button. Select the Scan with Norton AntiVirus menu item as shown in the next window.


Once selected, the Scan: Summary window shows the results of that scan. The file selected contains no virus. This feature means that Norton AntiVirus 2002 passes the on demand test.


Next, virus signatures need to be updated daily. With Norton’s product, you enable this feature by clicking the OptionsLive Update buttons. You then select both Enable automatic LiveUpdate and Apply updates without interrupting me (recommended) as the picture shows. Although you cannot schedule when the update happens, the documentation, which you can view by selecting Help, explains that updates happen when you are connected to the Internet. With this option, Norton AntiVirus 2002 passes the update test.


What happens if a virus is detected? This is the respond test. With the Norton product, you can decide what happens when a virus is detected through the Options menu item. When selected, the Auto-Protect window (shown) is displayed. Notice that the default action is to automatically repair the infected file and this action is the recommended one. You also have other options in the window.

With viruses discovered in email, you have the options that are shown in the next window, Email Scanning. These options are available when you select OptionsEmail. Again, you should select all the recommended defaults. These give the maximum amount of scanning and repair (where possible).

With these tests enabled as shown, the Norton AntiVirus meets the respond test.

Next is the check test. In Norton AntiVirus 2002, this feature is called Auto-Protect. By clicking the left mouse button on the Auto-Protect button and then selecting More Info, you see a window (shown below) explaining how Auto-Protect works and how to troubleshoot errors.


Also enable the Email Scanning and Script Blocking checks. To learn more about what they do, follow the same procedure and read the information available through More Info. With Auto-Protect, Email Scanning, and Script Blocking checks enabled, Norton AntiVirus 2002 passes the check test.

The final test is the heuristics test. With Norton AntiVirus 2002, selecting OptionsAutoProtect Bloodhound turns on heuristics tests. The Bloodhound window appears as shown here. The defaults in our example screen are the recommended ones. Verify that they are, in fact, what are set up and turned on for your computer.

By selecting Help, you’ll see an explanation of what the Bloodhound tests do, as shown next.

So then, according to the DURCH tests, the Norton AntiVirus 2002 product passes and should be considered a viable candidate for you to use to combat intruders who attempt to gain access to your home computer using viruses and worms.