Computer Support Blog

Zero-day virus attacks get the credit for a hacker group’s entry to websites for PBS and Sony, raising concern about computer security. The average user can remain safe against attacks easily using the anti-virus protection software that already exists.

Zero-day is any virus attack created to find and use errors in a network or computer security system, before the vendor or developer knows that the error exists. Even good anti-virus software can have an occasional error.

Here are six easy ways to help protect computers from zero-day or other virus attacks.

1. Avoid opening unknown email attachments. Attacks on private computers occur through email attachments often. The safest approach is to only open attachments that are known as safe, documents or links from reliable sources. If opening the attachment is necessary, anti-virus scans are available for each attachment.
2. Set up a firewall for all computers connected to the internet. Firewalls block the majority of viruses from entering a system through the internet by restricting access to a network. Network providers generally have a firewall already in place.
3. Update anti-virus software often. Software updates frequently contain security patches, programs designed to discover viruses that older security software versions missed. The software will search a computer or network for different factors that indicate a virus.
4. Enable the heuristic virus scanning. This scanning software is an optional part of anti-virus software that searches for viruses by looking for unusual instructions, according to wisegeek.com. Viruses will have a slight difference in instructions from other programs on a computer. The heuristic software will recognize the different instructions and alert the user to a potential virus.
5. Check software vendor’s website regularly for software patches. Computer vendors and developers do offer software patches for security errors found in the system. Patches are available at the vendor’s website. Checking for security patches will increase a customer’s ability to avoid viruses entering systems through security errors.
6. Back up crucial information files. Attacks, once in, can be a problem long after the original security error is fixed. Information can be lost, for example. Back up files prevent permanent loss of essential information.

Acting with caution will help users increase computer security and protect information from viruses.

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RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

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david@rescuecom.com

Filed under: backups, Internet Security, rescuecom, scams, security, virus