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Virus Protection

Mac viruses can affect us all. They are becoming more and more a problem as an increasing number of Mac II's (with an internal hard drive (disk)) and external hard drives are being used within our Macintosh network.

The hard drives (internal and external) are becoming a virus breeding ground. The drive becomes infected from a user who unknowingly uses an infected floppy on a Macintosh machine with a hard drive. "What comes around goes around" is now most certainly true. With the hard disk infected, the next innocent user to insert a *clean* floppy for use in that machine comes away with a contaminated floppy!

This is an endless circle UNLESS *you*, the user, take several precautions before using a Macintosh workstation. Most important, assume nothing! Before using a Mac machine with a internal/external drive check it out with a virus detector (read Virus Killing). Every time! It only takes a few minutes and is well worth the time spent.

Make periodic checks of your own floppy(ies) with a virus detector, and when I say periodic, I mean every couple of days for those floppies you use frequently. This whole virus mess can be controlled by you, the user, with just a little bit of prevention. Here are a few tips to keep yourself virus free.

Laws to live (compute) by...

1. Check out *all* new software before using it, and I mean all! Commercial, shareware, or freeware...assume nothing; suspect all. I wouldn't even trust a brand new software package right out of a reputable store, it wouldn't be the first time a virus has been shipped through commercial software.
2. Knowing your floppies are clean is not enough. Verify that your workspace is clean also. Check out any hard disk (internal or external) drive attached to a Macintosh workstation *before* you use it (see how in my Virus Killer article).
3. Keep all original software on LOCKED floppies. Use only copies, never unlock the original disk. It is impossible for a virus to infect a locked floppy (read "The Terminator"). Check your copies often for infections.
4. Make periodic backups. Check for viruses immediately before backing up software. In addition, check your "backed up" material intermittently.

Suspect a Virus if...

1. an application hangs or bombs (system error) immediately when trying to run it. A virus may have attacked your floppy! You should immediately clean it.
2. the system or finder application inside your system folder is very large. Chances are it is infected.
3. you have problems printing or booting from a floppy. An inoculation may be necessary.
4. the Macintosh becomes very slow or sluggish for no reason. Chances are an unwelcomed critter is sharing your equipment. Eradication measures should be taken.

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