presented by InternetU.org
Please click here to start downloading the F-prot zip file (version 3.12b) (F-prot is a shareware program. Please read licensing information.)
WARNING:
Q: When do I get the updates for fprot and how do I make it work?
A: If you are going to depend on AV (antivirus) software, you should check for updates several times a day. This process should never be automated. (Your best bet is to check with the organization's website, depending on the version that you choose to use. We only use the DOS version.)
Please remember AV software is not fail-safe! Viruses can turn it off... back doors can be left open, etc. If you have detected a virus on your computer, you should assume the worst.
OUR RECOMMENDATION is to NOT depend on antivirus software. Almost all viruses can be prevented by reviewing your email on-line. Do not download email onto your computer without reading it first.
In the realm of personal computers, there are a host of items necessary
to maintain the health of your machine. Among the most prominent items
is virus protection software. The virus software that comes with most
computers is outdated before the computer is even out of the box. So, it
is extremely important that individuals using personal computers regularly
check their machines with the most recent version of a proven anti-virus
program (ie. reliable virus software programs are constantly updated).
Viruses can completely scramble and damage existing files on your computers'
hard drive, to the point that these files are lost forever. Can you imagine
recreating months or years of data? A daunting and nearly impossible task.
From our experience, viruses are usually contracted via floppy disks
or from other known sources. As an internet service
provider we have not encountered a virus being contracted randomly
over the internet.
All known internet transferred viruses have been through specific
application files (like a Word Document or Excel Spreadsheet)
or through viruses written
to propagate over Microsoft servers.
Care should be taken with files
that "a friend" has emailed. As long as you download material
from a reputable website, you should not encounter internet viruses.
If you would like a copy of proven anti-virus software, you can download
the latest shareware version of F-Prot.
All you need do is:
Please remember: virus protection software is not proven effective once a virus has been activated. No one is sure that these viruses aren't leaving remnants behind. The only way you can know for sure is to throw away the machines. The next best alternative would be to reformat the harddrive and re-install the operating system.
-- InternetU.org Security Dept.