Tips to Protect Yourself from Viruses

Email viruses top the list of IT managers’ concerns for data protection. In fact, they are more worried about email viruses than they are about homeland security issues or other widespread threats, according to a recent national survey, sponsored by Imation Corp, a worldwide leader in removable data storage media.

According to the survey, 59 percent of companies polled have reviewed and/or changed their data backup procedures in response to the potential threat of an email virus. Fortunately, with the adoption of a few simple techniques, businesses can avoid the long-term revenue loss, downtime and inconveniences that can result from data loss caused by email viruses and other threats.

1. Backup information on a regular basis — pick a schedule your lifestyle or business can support and make it a daily or weekly habit.
   
   
2. Backup information on permanent, removable data storage media, such as CDs, DVDs or tape cartridges and store them in a cool, dry place — and in a safe location away from your computer. Business should consider off-site storage of backups. This will allow businesses to permanently safeguard files from the possibility of an email virus.
   
   
3. Protect yourself from computer viruses — use anti-virus software that runs regularly scheduled virus scans.
   
   
4. Know your email programs. Make sure that you and your employees recognize how attachments are presented in the emails and how to delete unwanted email messages without opening them.
   
   
5. Educate yourself regularly on Internet viruses. Visit anti-virus software Web sites to research current virus threats or sign up for email alerts or updates from anti-virus software companies. Remember, the more you know, the less likely you are to be a victim of a virus.
   
   
6. Don't disable your anti-virus software unless it's necessary for installation or removal of a program (some installation programs can look like a virus). If you do disable virus protection, re-enable it before connecting to the Internet, or reading a floppy diskette or a CD.
   
   
7. Make sure your anti-virus software is configured to run a complete scan of your system at least once a month. Use an anti-virus package that supports regular, automated updates to include known viruses.
   
   
8. Don't open email attachments from people you don't know and be wary of unexpected or unusual emails from known parties.

Make Backup a Habit
Protect yourself against data loss with regular system backups using cost-effective removable data storage media, such as CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives or tape media. Backup has to be a regular part of your business routine so you avoid the loss of your data down the road. Put backup on your calendar, and make sure you secure your data regularly. You never know when the next virus will strike!