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I MUST CONFESS that until very recently I have never protected my computer system with anti-virus software. Even though over the years I have followed safe computer practices--not installing pirated software, not executing files from unknown sources, not opening MS Word documents that might have an infected macro--I think that an anti-virus program is an important tool to have. Although I acknowledge that I should have installed one earlier, I never know which program to choose, a dilemma common to many of those who attended Jeff Setaro's recent New-to DACS presentation on the subject of viruses. Jeff recommended four anti-virus companies. Anti-Viral Toolkit Pro by Central Command, Inc. (AVP) (http://www.avp.com) and F-Prot Anti-Virus by Frisk Software Intl. (http://www.complex.is) are mostly for single users. Two others, F-Secure Anti-Virus by Data Fellows Inc. (http://www.datafellows.com) and Sophos Anti-Virus by Sophos Inc. (http://www.sophos.com), are for multiple users.
With that information in hand, I pointed my browser to the AVP web site and downloaded the anti- virus program. Central Command lets you choose from several payment methods: credit card, check, or wire transfer. The download and installation are pretty straightforward. You first download a "wizard," which you open by typing in a serial number and a digital key that is separately e-mailed to you after your payment is verified. If the download fails for some reason, you can always retrieve the wizard again, but only the person who actually made payment can open the software. The wizard took about 15 minutes to download. Upon installation, the program automatically updates itself from the Web. It selects the needed upgrades and downloads them to a temporary file. The files are then installed to the appropriate folders. The software then conveniently deletes old files from the AVP folders and disconnects itself. There is a green check mark that is inserted when the procedures are completed, and an inverted hourglass is present during the processing of files. I was pleased to note that the software keeps itself lean and slim by deleting old files. It even deleted the temp file created for installation. AVP uses a scanty 2.63MB of hard disk space. Except for the help file there is no manual, but the software is self-explanatory and intuitive to use. After the installation and update, I had AVP check for the presence of any viruses in my system. I was relieved to learn I was free of them. If unluckily one had been present, the software has the ability to disinfect and remove them. AVP can catch any of 24,564 viruses. It is, however, advisable to update the software on a regular basis, since computer viruses spring up constantly. The latest update reads date, month, and year, as is the custom in Europe. One piece of advice Jeff gave us at the presentation was that if there is a virus, don't panic. He said that although users who follow safe computing practices are not likely to catch a virus, anti-virus protection is nevertheless extra insurance. I am now a convert. I will continue safe computer practices but am comforted by the presence of an anti-virus sentry to scan my files and protect my system. I am also grateful to DACS for offering its members exposure to topics important to all computer users. |
| Marlène Gaberel is a DACS director and responsible for publicity. Reach Marlène at mgaberel@ct1.nai.net. |
AVP, available for
Windows 95/98, sells for a reasonable $24.95 for single users.
F-Prot, a DOS version workable under Windows, is free. F-Secure
and Sophos are priced in the several hundred dollar range for
single users, with a volume discount that rises as the number
of users increases.