Most network administrators, including those in state and local government, are not always diligent in their anti-virus campaigns. Md. The International Computer Security Association estimates that 1,000 new viruses emerge each month, and older anti-virus packages often will not detect new strains. Anti-virus software suppliers stand ready to help civic agencies combat new viruses. When an organization thinks it may be under attack from a new virus, that agency can report the virus to a vendor's anti-virus research center. These departments usually will determine within 24 hours whether a new virus has appeared and can find an anti-virus in a few days.
Vendors also understand that the update process can be tedious and are working to make it simpler.
Network Associates Inc.'s Enterprise SecureCast service relies on push technology to automatically send updates to corporate network administrators as soon as the updates are released from the company's labs. Administrators can use a central distribution console to protect an enterprise's clients and servers. Meanwhile, Symantec Corp.'s Norton anti-virus product line includes a LiveUpdate feature that enables network administrators to download updates. A customer can perform the update manually or set a hourly, daily or weekly schedule for automated updating. Some products try to identify patterns or signatures in viruses.