Q. What steps can I take to protect my computer from viruses and spyware?

Step	Issue	Recommendations
1	Firewall, Windows Updates and Antivirus	Go to http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp and follow the instructions on their website to install/configure Firewall Windows Update Antivirus client ( Stony Brook University provides antivirus software for free to their employees and students. See Note below. ). You can read more about securing your computer at http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.mspx .
2	Popups	Install a free popup blocker like http://toolbar.google.com. If you have Windows XP SP2, you do not need to install this, since it already includes a popup blocker.
3	Spyware	Install an anti-spyware program such as Windows Defender from Microsoft (free, http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx). Faculty and Staff should install Webroot SpySweeper from our SSO downloads area (recommended).

• If you are a faculty, staff or graduate student at the Computer Science department, you can download Symantec Antivirus software from http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/~sso using your UNIX login and password.
• The following is a well compiled checklist for securing Windows at home http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/220. We strongly recommend you go through this list.

General Guidelines

• Make regular backups of your data and check that these were successful. CD recorders and DVD recorders are good ways to store your backup data.
• Check your disk and defrag regularly (Windows XP links below)
  • To check your disk for errors go to http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315265&Product=winxp
  • To defrag your computer go to http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314848&Product=winxp
• Subscribe to an email alert service that warns you about new viruses and security updates. For example,
  • http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/secnews/default.mspx
  • http://www.us-cert.gov/
• Save any Word files in Rich Text Format (RTF) as opposed to DOCs. RTF files do not support the macro language and cannot carry viruses.
• For Excel spreadsheets the equivalent format is CSV.
• When emailing documents paste the text from the document into the body of your email wherever possible.
• Tell anyone you deal with that you would rather receive RTF or CSV files.
• Do not run or download executable files from the internet or any attached to an email.
• Ideally you should not allow the emailing or receipt of games, etc.
• You should not download games etc. from websites.
• Microsoft does not send patches or updates via email. Any such message and related file attachment is probably an attempt to compromise the security of your system.
• Change your CMOS bootup sequence so that rather than booting from drive A: if a floppy is left in the machine it will boot by default from drive C:. If you do need to boot from a floppy disk the CMOS can easily be switched back.
• Write-protect floppy disks before inserting them into other users' computers.
• Any floppies used on computers must be virus checked first.

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