McAfee AVDCDE-AA-AA User Guide - Page 15

Preface How to protect yourself McAfee anti-virus software already gives you an important bulwark against infection and damage to your data, but anti-virus software is only one part of the security measures you should take to protect yourself. Anti-virus software, moreover, is only as good as its latest update. Because as many as 200 to 300 viruses and variants appear each month, the virus definition (.DAT) files that enable McAfee software to detect and remove viruses can get quickly outdated. If you have not updated the files that originally came with your software, you could risk infection from newly emerging viruses. McAfee has, however, assembled the world's largest and most experienced anti-virus research staff in its Anti-Virus Emergency Response Team (AVERT)*. This means that the files you need to combat new viruses appear as soon as-and often before-you need them. Most other security measures are common sense-checking disks you receive from unknown or questionable sources, either with anti-virus software or some kind of verification utility, is always a good idea. Malicious programmers have gone so far as to mimic the programs you trust to guard your computer, pasting a familiar face on software with a less-than-friendly purpose. Neither McAfee nor any other anti-virus software, however, can detect when someone substitutes an as-yet unidentified Trojan horse or other malicious program for one of your favorite shareware or commercial utilities-that is, until after the fact. Web and Internet access poses its own risks. VirusScan* anti-virus software gives you the ability to block dangerous web sites so that users can't inadvertently download malicious software from known hazards; it also catches hostile objects that get downloaded anyway. But having a top-notch firewall in place to protect your network and implementing other network security measures is a necessity when unscrupulous attackers can penetrate your network from nearly any point on the globe, whether to steal sensitive data or implant malicious code. You should also make sure that your network is not accessible to unauthorized users, and that you have an adequate training program in place to teach and enforce security standards. To learn about the origin, behavior and other characteristics of particular viruses, consult the Virus Information Library maintained on the AVERT website. McAfee can provide you with other powerful software in the Active Virus Defense* (AVD) and Total Virus Defense (TVD) suites, the most comprehensive anti-virus solutions available. Related companies within the Network Associates family provide other technologies that also help to protect your network, including the PGP Security CyberCop product line, and the Sniffer Technologies network monitoring product suite. Contact your Network Associates representative, or visit the Network Associates website, to find out how to enlist the power of these security solutions on your side. User's Guide xv