Reduce Risk

To keep the bugs away and preparation for virus removal in case of infection:

 * Get a Good Anti-Virus Program
 * Install and configure it correctly or hire someone else to do so.
 * Make SURE that the antivirus program  is of the type that starts itself when the computer is powered on.* Keep the Data files for the virus scanner up to date
 * most modern antiviral programs require data to "let the program know what to look for".
 * Learn how to use the program correctly
 * Be careful where you choose to download from.
 * Scan EVERY binary file that you download for viruses.
 * Below is a list of programs in the first column and a risk assessment* in the second, If you see something in the first column that you use on your system, or you have a program that has a macro or scripting language built in to it, then make sure your virus scanner covers macro viruses also and when someone sends you an attached file in the format of your program, Scan the attached file.

      Microsoft Word v.6, 7: High Risk for Macro Virus infection.

      Microsoft Word v.'97: Moderate to High Risk at present, but number of Macro Viruses will increase.

      Microsoft Excel v.6, 7, '97: Moderate to High Risk for Macro Virus infection.

      Microsoft PowerPoint v.6, 7, '97: Minimal Risk at present, but risk will increase

      Microsoft Access v.6, 7, '97: Minimal Risk at present, but risk will increase.

      Lotus 1-2-3 Recent Versions: Minimal Risk, no known Macro Viruses exist "in the wild."

      WordPerfect Recent Versions: Minimal Risk, no known Macro Viruses exist "in the wild."

      Ami-Pro Recent Versions: Minimal Risk, no known Macro Viruses exist "in the wild."
      (A virus called "GreenStripe" exists and is designed to spread in Ami-Pro, but it has not been found "in the wild."


      
      
* NEVER open a file you have received off the Internet until you have scanned it for virus contamination
* NEVER accept a file from someone you don't know in IRC(chat)
* NEVER leave a floppy disk in the drive unless it has been scanned and made into a "boot" disk.
* ALWAYS scan a floppy disk that has been used in another computer BEFORE  using it in your computer
* ALWAYS write protect any emergency disk, whether it's the Win95 Startup disk or an emergency virus scanner disk.
* ALWAYS check the various hoax pages.
* Make a complete backup of your system when it it performing well and keep it in a safe place.


If you find a virus:

* The Anti-virus software should be able to identify the virus by name and then be able to give instruction on ridding the system of the pest.
* Follow the manufacturers instructions to clean the system with the virus control software you purchased
* If you do not understand exactly how to do it, get someone to help who does or hire a technician to do it, else you may never see your data again.
* Try to determine how the infection occurred so as to prevent it from recurring, refer to the recommendations above to help with the determination if necessar
* Clean ALL the diskettes that you use after cleaning the hard drive.
* Notify EVERYONE you may have shared any files with