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Routine maintenance

Unit objectives Discuss the necessity of applying

software patches and fixes Discuss viruses and anti-virus strategy

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Topic A

Topic A: Keeping NOS software up to date

Topic B: Virus protection

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Support packs and service packs

Guidelines:– Make a backup of your system before

using the service pack– Upgrade your system only when the

service pack’s updates apply– Make sure you have the service pack

that applies to your hardware, especially if a vendor-specific version is needed

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Hot fixes and patches

Released to fix one specific problem Designed to take care of a specific

problem on a specific application Included in a support pack or service

pack release

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Updating a device driver

1. Launch the Device Manager

2. Right-click the device and select Properties

3. Select the Driver tab

4. Click Update Driver

5. Specify whether you want to update the driver automatically or from a list or specific location

6. Click Next and then follow the prompts to install the new driver. If a newer driver is not found, the wizard informs you that you already have the most updated driver

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Application updates

Fixed by patches Visit the manufacturers’ Web sites

regularly to check for product updates and fixes

Common application Web sites include:– www.novell.com– www.microsoft.com– www.adobe.com– www.symantec.com– www.lotus.com

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Activity A-1

Discussing software patches and updates

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Routine maintenance

Topic A: Keeping NOS software up to date

Topic B: Virus protection

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Virus protection

Computer viruses– Can spread easily across a network– Might infect every node on the network

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Viruses

Software programs that have the ability to reproduce by modifying other programs or duplicating themselves

Types of viruses:– Program– Boot– Multipartite– Specialized

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Specialized viruses

Use the macro language of the specific application to spread

Also known as macro viruses Include:

– Word macro viruses– Excel macro viruses– CMOS virus

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Activity B-1

Discussing viruses

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Virus protection

Involves the following measures:– Avoiding infection– Keeping viruses from spreading

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Anti-virus programs

Programs that can be run periodically to check for viral infection

Include:– Symantec’s Norton Anti-Virus– Network Associates’ McAfee Anti-Virus– Computer Associates’ eTrust

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Virus recovery

Has to be tailored according to the virus type:– Boot sector– Executable files– FAT or directory tables

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Anti-virus software on the network

An important element of a comprehensive security program

Includes a variety of safety measures such as:– Regular backup schedules– Meaningful password protection– Training– Awareness

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E-mail protection

E-mail protection program:– Included in most anti-virus software

suites– Integrates itself with the e-mail system

on the network by scanning incoming mail and attachments

– Stops viruses before they enter your network

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Updating virus signatures

Accomplished by configuring the anti-virus software to retrieve and install the updates from the manufacturer’s Web site automatically

Can also be done manually by logging in to the Web site and downloading the latest updates to the anti-virus package you’re using

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Activity B-2

Discussing virus protection

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Unit summary

Discussed the necessity of applying support packs and service packs

Discussed viruses and anti-virus strategies