A couple of weeks ago I received a virus alert from one of my trusted sources. I immediately drafted an alert that I'd planned to send around to everyone but, then, I got busy and when I re-visited the issue, I said to myself, ""Why bother? Nobody pays any attention to these friendly reminders."

I'm sorry if that sounds cynical, but I am. I've earned the right to be. Despite constant preaching to my clients about updating their anti-virus software, even some of my best clients will chuckle and say, "Ooops! Busted," when I check to see if they have updated the protection of their systems.

So, I didn't send out that alert and now I'm wishing that I had.Yesterday I received a frantic call from someone saying that they'd gotten the same virus about which I'd been notified. When asked what they should do, besides update their virus definitions list, all I could do was refer them to the draft virus alert that I'd prepared and suggest that they follow the online instructions to fix the damage.

This new virus, W32.Navidad, can cause real damage to your computer. What's more, this worm is traveling through the real estate community. If you're still not convinced, be patient and enjoy the denial while it lasts. There's a chance that you'll get yours in time for Christmas, and it won't be a very Feliz Navidad.

The problem with viruses and worms is that by the time you get them, it's often too late. The damage occurs when you open the attachment or when you simply read the (HTML) e-mail. Your only defense is anti-virus software and your software is only as effective as the virus definitions list that you have installed. That means that if you're not updating this list regularly, you have no protection against new viruses. To find out where your virus definitions list is, keep reading.

Unfortunately, the problem isn't just yours - because most of these newer worms propagate themselves by sending out (infected) e-mails to everyone in your address book. Now, maybe your family and friends (and other agents) will understand that you may be a little lax in the computer maintenance department but I'm not so sure that you can expect your clients to be equally forgiving - especially when the virus payload wreaks total havoc and irreparable damage to their computer systems.

Maintaining a computer system that is virus-free is the height of professionalism. Passing on a virus is the height of unprofessionalism. So, even if your clients remain loyal to you, you run the risk of undermining whatever confidence they have in you. Might they be asking themselves, "What other details isn't my agent taking care of?!"

So, here's a link to read about and conquer this worm: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.navidad.html

Use it! Read the information, and more importantly, update your virus software and your virus definitions list weekly.

Updating Your Virus Definitions List

(1) log on to the Internet

(2) open your anti-virus software ( I recommend Norton AntiVirus 2001)

(3) click on the "LiveUpdate" or "Update" button

(4) follow the instructions to download /update your anti-virus software

(5) configure the software to check "All Files", and

(6) scan your computer's hard drive(s).

It's more important to "update" your software and virus definitions list than it is to "scan" your system (i.e., if your software is current, it will intercept the viruses / worms).

There are too many viruses out there to give you a complete recap of what to watch out for. It's really much simpler to just follow the above advice.

For future reference, here are a couple of links to sites that will provide you with the latest information on other high risk and popular worms and viruses (you might want "Bookmark" or add these URLs to your "Favorites" for future reference.):

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/

http://vil.mcafee.com/default.asp

Published: December 4, 2000

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