Klez worm, virii, and anti-virus programs in general

Well, due to my being asked alot of the same questions, by several different people, I thought I might just take the time to make a generalized post trying to answer them.

First thing first, one I am NOT an expert, but I do read alot about this stuff... however I am still just a computer science and creative writing major at Kansas State University. :D LOL Ok, enough of the stuff, here, I am recommending programs that you can use, however I honestly can not provide support for them, and will say all programs are used at your own risk, yada and the companies I am recommending themselves will provide tech. support anyway if need be.

Ok, I know that there is the Klez worm that is going around. Not sure of everything it is capable of doing. Haven't really read enough on it to tell you everything there is to know about it, but from the sounds of it, one or several people may or may not have it.

SO many people are asking what can be done to try to make sure you don't get it, don't have it, etc.

Well, the best option is to have an up to date virus scanner. A couple good for pay virus scanners are: McAfee and Norton, both provide regular updates, however, I believe the updates are subscription based updates(meaning, you pay so much each year or whatever their time frame is). Another good for pay virus scanner, but does cost more than the previously mentioned ones is F-Secure(found at www.datafellows.com).

Ok, that is the for pay ones I've recommended, have either seen used, or used myself(Norton). However, there are some good free virus scanners also that you can download and use if you qualify those being: AVG(really nice Windows based free scanner, that is regularly updated also) and can be found at: www.grisoft.com, while another one that is excellent is called F-Prot, however this one is a DOS based virus scanner, and while it will run in windows it does not live scan like Norton, McAfee, F-Secure, or AVG(meaning you have to run it yourself from your computer each time you want scan your computer). It is made by the same people that make F-Secure.(I use this inaddition to Norton).

However, if you'd rather not install a second virus scanner, yet want a periodic "second opinion" if you will, there is a free online virus scanner. This one can be located at: housecall.antivirus.com. They also have for pay virus scanners there that you can purchase and install on your computer. Again like F-Prot this one doesn't do any live scanning, it only will scan when you visit the website and start the program.

Anyway, given the widespread nature of the Klez worm right now, I thought it might be appropriate to offer a few options for anti-virus scanners, and where to get them at.

What else can you do to protect your computer? A firewall is a good option and you can find a free one at: www.zonelabs.com called ZoneAlarm. If you have Windows XP, there is a built in Firewall, which while simple appears to get the job done, which is important. Can search Windows Help to find how to activate, though on many machines and XP installs this is automatically running.

Hope this answers some questions, and helps to calm the jitters of the virii out there. Klez just happens to be the popular one now, who knows what tomorrows will be. So just need to keep the scanners up to date, and don't run files from people you know if you were not already expecting to receive an attachment from that person.

What else can you do? In Outlook and Outlook Express, you can disable the "Preview Pane", so this way when you click on an email it doesn't just open in the lower half of these email programs and run what ever attachments might be there. Just look in help for the specific directions(since I am not using those myself, don't have the option to look it up.. but I believe its found under "view").

Anyway, just some tips, and happy computing. :D

Zayden,

Any other computer techie types feel free to add or correct anything I put here... like I said, not the "expert" just "self-informed." LOL

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