Antivirus and SpyWare

Virus Detection and Prevention Tips

We provide FREE antivirus software to all coputers used by our staff, agents and brokers. If you do not have any protection, send an email to rob@mrtownhouse.com and I will make sure that you get a copy promptly. It is company policy to have a current valid copy of Antivirus to protect the integrity of our network and to ensure secure, safe communications at all times.
Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.
Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and simply confirm that they really sent it.
Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected. If the need to do so is there always save the file to your hard drive before doing so.
Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
Do not download any files from strangers. Even if it is from someone you know and just looks suspicious, call them to confirm they did in fact send it to you and it is not a virus sent from an infected address book.
Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.
Update your anti-virus software regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be at the least the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well. For most staff, this is done automatically by ur managed software but it is very easy to check jst to be sure.
Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.
When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the more important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors for updates which include those for your operating system web browser, and email. One example is the security site section of Microsoft located at http://www.microsoft.com/security. This will ensure your Windows Operating System has the latest patches and fixes provided by Microsoft very frequently to give you the optimal level of protection.
If you are in doubt about any potential virus-related situation you find yourself in, contact the CP Technical Team and we will answer all of your questions.

SCANNING:
To Scan for a virus or Spyware on your system, make sure you are conected to the internet and go to this link.

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescanpro/identification.aspx?sitepanda=empresas

This one above only works if you are using Windows Internet Explorer as your browser, if using anything different use one of the links below and then choose the free scan option.

http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp

http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/home_homeoffice/index_virus.html

These will alert you to any problems you may be unaware of. If an isue is detected, please contact the CP Technical Team right away and we will work with you to fix the problem. If either link does not take you to the site by clicking on it, just cut and paste it into your browser search window.

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL SUPPORT