The Computer Geeks - Computer Services

VOL: 001 Issue: 007 2005

Letters to the editor
By Jeff Bourque
www.thecomputergeek.ca

At The Computer Geeks we receive a wide range of questions via email from our clients and networking associates.
People are looking for good advice on everything from software issues to hardware problems.

This month, we will respond to a couple of the 'puzzlers' that came our way.

Question:
Submitted by: April C.

I am running--and paying for--Norton AntiVirus on my home computer, which is about a year old.
I've heard some good things about free antivirus software that is equal to, if not better than, the Norton product.
I'd like to try some out while I am still running Norton.
Is it OK to run more than one antivirus application at the same time?

Answer:

Running multiple antivirus applications on a PC is not recommended.
To comprehend why, you must understand how the software works.
Antivirus programs run in the background from the moment you start your computer or from the moment Windows loads, (depending on the software).
Every time you run an application or open a file, the antivirus scans it before permitting it to load.
You may have noticed that after installing Norton AntiVirus, your computer slowed down.
This is because antivirus software uses large amounts of memory and resources.
If you decide to run more than one antivirus software,

be prepared for the following:

a) The two (or more) antivirus programs will consume tremendous resources slowing your computer to snail's pace and perhaps causing it to hang/freeze frequently, possibly right at 'startup'.

b) The two antivirus programs may detect each other's activity, consider their behavior invasive, and attempt to neutralize each other. They might try to quarantine or delete each other's core files, thereby corrupting the software and rendering them useless. To boot, you will most likely experience a crash (pun intended).

c) If two antivirus programs try to scan a file simultaneously the resulting conflict could corrupt the file or prevent it from opening/running normally.

That should be reason enough for you to think twice before installing additional antivirus software on your PC.

Question: Submitted by James B.

Computer Geek Please Help! Somebody has used my e-mail address to send viruses all over the country. I am receiving e-mail saying, "You sent me a virus!" I don't want everyone to think I'm intentionally sending out viruses. Is there any way to stop this and clear my name?

Answer:

Precondition: Your operating system has all of the latest critical updates and security patches installed on it.

Precondition:
You have a good antivirus program running whenever your computer is turned on and it's updated automatically with the latest virus definitions as they become available. If both of these preconditions are met, then... There are different interpretations of your claim that your email is being used to send viruses.

Scenario 1:
The virus is on your computer and is using it to send out a virus to everyone in your address book.

Solution:

Some antivirus programs (i.e. Norton) have the configuration option that scans all outgoing e-mail for contamination prior to actual upload of the message. If a virus is detected, the upload is immediately halted. If you have this protection installed and someone claims to have received a virus from you, the claim is probably bogus.

Scenario 2:
Someone has used your e-mail address to send out viruses from their own computer.

Solution:

Your computer has it's own unique "fingerprint" on the Internet called a DNS. If you don't know yours, the quickest way to find out is to call your Internet service provider (ISP) and ask for it. The ID number is a quartet - each quartet has 1-3 digits separated by a dot. Write it down. Then when someone claims that you've sent them a virus, tell them to right click on the infected e-mail (WITHOUT opening it) and select Properties and then the Details tab.
This will show the DNS of the

computer that sent the infected e-mail, regardless of the e-mail address used. If the infected e-mail shows a different DNS than your own, you are not the culprit. But someone has tried to use your address as a mask for spreading viruses. The DNS identifies a machine while an email address identifies the sender. You can fake or mask the sender ID but you cannot hide the true identify of the machine.

Scenario 3:
Someone is hacking into your computer, taking control, and sending viruses from your In Box.

Solution:

Install good firewall software. There are many good, free ones such as those available on SYGATE www.sygate.com. Make sure that the firewall is running 24/7, Using a firewall as a deterrent is the same as installing a security lock on your front door - if it's too much trouble to break in, the intruder will move on down the information highway and find an easier victim.

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