Computer virus risk highlighted (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Computer virus risk highlighted

WILTSHIRE businesses are being urged to protect themselves against the MyDoom computer virus, the most widely circulated virus of all time.

Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire has found that, in 2003, more than half of all UK businesses were caught out by a virus attack, despite more than 90 per cent of UK businesses using anti-virus software.

In the first three months of 2004 the viruses MyDoom, Netsky and Bagle have infected more computer systems than ever before, costing businesses money, time and inconvenience.

The result of virus attacks can be worse if the viruses are programmed to delete files, corrupt data or wipe hard drives.

Financial costs to businesses include downtime as systems are cleansed, potential lost business, lost credibility, as well as the ongoing costs of preventing future attacks.

This year the viruses have two primary aims: firstly, they look to replicate by mailing copies to all listed users in the infected machine's e-mail address book.

Secondly, they look to open a back door on the infected machine that will allow someone other than the owner to take control remotely, which enables the unauthorised person to launch attacks on websites or get access to a virtual mailbox to distribute spam mail.

"The key to minimising the risk of infection is to have a multi-layered defence, which starts with educating users," said Andy Poulton, e-business adviser and member of the ICT team for Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire.

"Most of the viruses use social engineering in an attempt to tempt the user to open the file that arrives via e-mail.

"Temptations have included files described as pictures of Anna Kournikova or free screen savers.

"Computer users need to consider any e-mail that arrives with an unexpected attachment as a risk and delete accordingly.

"The next defence layer is in the software. It is essential that anti-virus programmes are installed on all systems and that they are regularly updated.

"At a minimum, systems should be updated on a weekly basis.

"Firewall technologies should also be deployed to prevent unauthorised access to the PC, even if it does become infected.

"The other crucial area where businesses can take measures to protect themselves is to ensure that all their critical data is regularly backed up and that, where possible, these back-ups are stored off-site.

"Periodically, the company must also ensure that they can restore their data back on to their computers.

"If all those measures are enforced, the company faces a much lower risk of infection."

For more information, contact Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire on 0845 600 41 41.