5 Simple Steps to Protect Yourself from Virus Attacks

Computer Repair Tips from Big Sky Computer Solutions located in Bozeman, MT - 5 Simple Steps to Protect Yourself from Virus Attacks.

Viruses are as prevalent today as they have ever been. In 2009 alone, they have caused a total of over 5 Billion dollars in damages through lost productivity and downtime to businesses worldwide.

The number one way viruses find their way into businesses remains directly through email. Still today as I do my computer repair in Bozeman, I'm amazed at how many companies fail to protect themselves by taking the proper precautions.

By taking these 5 simple precautions, you will be better protected than the vast majority of your peers that might be leaving themselves wide open to attack.

1. Keep your Antivirus application installed and up to date - Far too often I come across workstations where the user decided to uninstall the Antivirus application because they thought it would "speed up" the computer. Certainly that computer will fail to run fast when it can't even boot because it has been attacked! Also often found are computers that simply fail to receive daily updates to the Antivirus signature files. There are many causes for failed updates, but the solution is simple. Simply make sure to monitor the Antivirus activity every day (easily done with a service like the proactive management plan offered by Big Sky Computer Solutions, a provider of computer repair in Bozeman, MT).

2. Install a quality Spam Filter application - Tons of viruses are passed around via automated Spam messaging through the internet. By having a quality Spam Filter installed either on your local computer or on your email server, you can prevent a number of infected messages from potentially ever reaching your inbox.

3. Do not open attachments - The most common way to transmit spam messages is through an infected file that is attached to the email. If you receive an email from a sender you are not familiar with, do not open it. Instead, immediately delete the attachment along with the email. If it was really an important attachment from a real sender, chances are they will contact you to make sure you receive it properly the next time they send it.

4. Scan attachments before opening - When you do receive an email from a known sender and an expected file is attached, there is still a possibility that the file has been unintentionally infected prior to being sent to you. Take the precaution of running your virus scan on the file before opening it (simply right-click the file and click "scan for viruses").

5. Shut off the Preview Pane - The path to get to this will be different depending on what email client you're using, (most of my customers of Big Sky Computer Solutions in Bozeman, MT use Outlook or Google Apps), but what you want to do is turn off the preview pane that allows you to read an email without actually opening it.

Viruses can be embedded in the HTML coding of the email message itself, and when the message is read, even in the preview pane, the virus can be activated. By shutting off the Preview Pane, you have reduced the chance of accidentally unleashing a virus from an email you had no intention of opening in the first place.
By taking these simple precautions, you will go a long way towards protecting your company from some potentially very costly downtime.

Big Sky Computer Solutions is a provider of professional Computer Repair Bozeman Montana. If you need computer repair for your small business, please contact us at sales@bigskycs.com.