What Can You Do To Help Stop The Spread Of Viruses?
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by: PaulWilcox
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Word Count: 378
Viruses can attack servers that run websites, email and other internet functions. They're not limited to desktop PC's.
Most of these servers are really not all that different from the average desktop computer. They probably have more memory, bigger hard drives and faster CPUs but the underlying technology is much the same.
Because they really run the same kind of stuff as a desktop system, they're also vulnerable to attack and need to be protected with similar methods. They need to be running antivirus software and firewalls to avoid being infected.
What Other Options Are There?
These servers can be servicing thousands of users at the same time in some cases so they're a popular target for the virus writers. As a user on these systems, you can help keep them virus-free by making sure your own computer is. And their system administrators can help by limiting what kinds of programs get installed on them.
When you keep your computer protect against online security threats, you're helping to minimize the target area for hackers. It's also necessary to keep your computer updated with the latest operating system and browser patches. You may even want to consider running a more secure web browser, such as Firefox, instead of Internet Explorer.
You should also avoid booting from CD's, DVD's or USB memory sticks that haven't been scanned for viruses. If one of the files that was saved on the disk was infected, booting with the disk can cause the virus to spread even faster.
If you use FTP, you should look into switching to a more secure system for file transfers. FTP passwords are sent "in the clear" - there is no encryption on them at all. So when you log into an FTP server, if someone is monitoring your internet traffic, they can easily get your password.
Users need to take responsibility for making sure a network is secure - not just the system administrators. System admins have many tasks on their plate and they're not always able to respond to security risks as quickly as they should.
About the Author
Is your computer secure enough? Find out what you should be doing to keep it safe from viruses, spyware and other internet security threats at the Online Security Toolkit website. Visit http://www.onlinesecuritytoolkit.com for more tips & info.
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