Beyond updates, however, basic configuring of the software can come into play. Plus, the antivirus software should be set to look at every file that users are trying to open. Finjan's free sandboxing program examines the code of every attachment to see what actions it will initiate. If, for instance, an attachment sets out to delete files, SurfinGuard would not run the program. Finjan claims SurfinGuard causes performance degradation.
Users can also consider employing a personal firewall.
Personal firewalls, such as NFR's BackOfficer Friendly or the free ZoneAlarm, monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic similar to the way network firewalls do. Firewall software will also pop up and say a machine has been scanned. Port scanning is a common tool hackers use to detect clear and open paths into a network. But in an environment where systems administrators remotely update and manage an agency's desktops, a personal firewall could cause some problems, Bair says. We should never put the corporation at risk just for individual convenience.