"An evolving list of malicious code
affecting PC's, Mac's, Unix systems, and Wireless Devices, as well as active
content threats exploiting browser and email security vulnerabilities."
And links to lots of other information. (9/01)
A computer security research and development
center operated by Carnegie Mellon University. Deals with threats to computer
security of all kinds, including viruses, hacks, etc.
Provided by the U.S. Dept. of Energy
— maintains information related to computer security, including virus
information, databases,
Internet
hoaxes, and other stuff.
Easy to navigate; provides detailed
virus descriptions. Also provides virus removal tools for some viruses,
and general-info instructions on settings for Windows to reduce the risk
of an infection. (9/01)
One of the most comprehensive FAQ's
on the topic — provided here by courtesy of Data Fellows. Unfortunately,
it hasn't been updated since 1995. It's a 58KB .ZIPfile.
"Recent virus outbreaks have exploited
known vulnerabilities in Visual Basic Scripting under Windows. In order
to limit the risk of infection, users of Windows should turn off Windows
Scripting Host. Doing so will prevent you from executing .vbs scripts by
double-clicking." This link tells you how to do that.
"Protect your computer against the latest
rash of viruses ready to strike your PC. These essential alerts, solutions
and downloads provide everything you'll need."
On-line Scanners Don't have anti-virus software of your own? Not
sure if your scanner might have missed one? Here's where you might be able
to get a second opinion without having to buy and install an anti-virus
suite. With an on-line scanner, you won't have to worry about keeping your
virus identification files up to date. But scans may be slow if you're
using a dial-up connection to the Internet.
If your system may be infected, it's
best to scan it from a known-clean boot disk and AV softare package. This
site provides software that makes that possible, or at least easier, for
several AV packages. (12/01)
Don't know if the scare you just heard about is real
or is just a hoax? Check any of these sites. Some sites react faster than
others, so check another if you don't find what you're looking for on the
first one.
Lists a large number of hoax viruses,
and includes links to some good general info on the topic --like how to
identify a hoax when one comes your way. (9/01)
Privately maintained, but is well documented
and contains links to several well-recognised authorities on the topic.
However, it isn't updated as quickly as some of the commercial sites like
Symantec or NAI. Endorsed by CIAC (U.S. Dept. of Energy).
Probably one of the more comprehensive
hoax databases. Includes an index and a relatively sophisticated search
engine. Also reports hoax chain letters.
Friendly, but you'll need to check with
an original source (like Symantec, DataFellows, or NAI) for detailed info.
A link to Symantec's AV pages is included.
Entries are alphabetical, with no indication
of recency of appearance of the hoax. Descriptions are detailed enough
to be useful, but without getting technical. (9/01)
"Learn about computer virus myths, hoaxes,
urban legends, hysteria, and the implications if you believe in them. You
can also search a list of computer virus hoaxes & virus hysteria from
A to Z." (12/01)
A compendium of resources useful in
telling the hoaxes from the real viruses, as well as descriptions of the
more common hoaxes -- with some good descriptions of the features of the
hoax that make it a bogusity.
These pages offer some useful comments of a general
nature:
The makers of Nod32, which has drawn
favourable attention from some reviewers for its speed and clean interface.
A trial version is available for download. But I don't know what's on this
site -- it wouldn't load into Netscape 4.08. (10/01)
Official distribution sites for the
DOS shareware (free to individuals) version of F-Prot — look for FP-xxx.zip
(xxx is the version number). It runs just fine under Win 3.x and Win95.
(It probably runs on any OS that provides a DOS box!)
Publisher of Norton AV and CPAV (latter
now discontinued)
Good general information, as well
as Symantec AV product information/downloads. A free DOS scanner is available
— intended for use before installing Win95.
Anti-virus
software information, tests, and reviews
Anti-virus scanners are not perfect. They're usually
pretty close, though. These sites can help you find out which anti-virus
packages perform best. And which ones you might want to avoid.
About.com
"AV
testing done right." This article reports (and interprets) the results
of tests done by AV-Test.org (see below). (12/01)
Certification
results. About.com's compilation of five certification results for
24 AV products for Windows 9x platforms. (12/01)
Product
reviews. Reports on the features offered by several AV programs – and
their usefulness/effectiveness. (12/01)
A German testing organization that tests
scanners on a variety of platforms and in a variety of ways. Most of the
popular anti-virus packages appear here. (12/01)
"...the leading anti-virus tools may
not detect viruses already on your hard drive!" Somewhat anecdotal, but
a useful indication that nothing is foolproof. (10/01)
This is ICSA's list of certified anti-virus
software packages. If your software isn't listed here, you might want to
start asking questions. ICSA is an independent body that certifies anti-virus
software as effective according to a published
set of rules.
Deals with anti-virus scanning methods
and techniques. Comprehensive and readable. Unfortunately, it's dated 1996,
so it does not dea with some current features & techniques.
Marko Helenius' excellent page of links
to other virus info sites. He did his M.Sc thesis on the spread of computer
viruses, and still works in the field.