Friendly Advice
With our experiences helping veterinary practices move
into the digital world, we've learned a great deal to help your practice
have a smooth transition. Some of the advice below is most
obvious, and should be taken seriously, but all of it will make life easier.
Virus Protection
Viruses Abound!!! Protect your computer & networks now!!! In the
not-to-distance past, it was not typically necessary to have up-to-date
anti-virus software on all computers that access the net. The chances of
getting a virus were so remote that one could be naive to the problem and
not be affected. WAKE UP, times have changed!!!!! In the past month
or so, we have seen an incredible increase in contamination attempts and
viruses found on systems connected to the net. It’s imperative that
anti-virus software be installed, activated and kept up-to-date with current
virus definitions on ALL computers that are used to access the internet! It
is your responsibility to maintain current anti-virus software, and to do
everything in your power to protect your network from viruses and hackers.
We recommend either one of these antivirus applications, which you can
easily purchase either online or from any office supply or computer store:
1. A listing of Windows Security
Software Providers -
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-7.aspx
Some providers being used by our
practices:
1. Symantec's Norton Antivirus or Antivirus Corporate Edition -
http://www.symantec.com/
2. McAfee's Total Protection -
http://www.mcafee.com/
3. AVG Antivirus and Security
Software -
http://www.avg.com/business-security-comparison
We have seen that most practices
have had antivirus software on their
computers, but it was not
automatically updating the virus
definitions! This function was left
up to the user, and it was not be
performed on a regular basis. For
this reason, we are requiring ALL
computers that access the net to
have either application mentioned
above operating !!! These
applications will automatically
update the virus definitions,
requiring no input from the user!
Now, you think that's that! You
might say, "With this software, I'm
protected from the dangers of the
net!" WRONG!!!! Read the next
section, Firewalls!
Firewalls
Firewalls - The Second Step in Total Net Protection! We have now
found evidence of hackers accessing computers on a regular basis. If
you are leaving your computer online for extended amounts of time, it is
necessary for that computer to have a firewall installed. Now, this is
a bit more complicated in terms of what a firewall does and how to set it
up.
1. A listing of Windows Security
Software Providers -
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-7.aspx
Some providers being used by our
practices:
1. Symantec's Norton Antivirus or Antivirus Corporate Edition -
http://www.symantec.com/
2. McAfee's Total Protection -
http://www.mcafee.com/
3. AVG Antivirus and Security
Software -
http://www.avg.com/business-security-comparison
If you're running the net over your LAN, then a more
robust firewall is required. Using the internet as an information source
and channel for communications is becoming more critical, but we must
protect our computers and data from those uninvited guests, viruses &
hackers. We urge you to install the latest software to protect against
viruses and to install the latest firewall !!!
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