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.
Even so, some hacker attacks seem to be getting more personal and not just random acts whose goal is to disable as many anonymous computer users as possible. But lately, viruses have become more vicious, many are designed to take down an organization's network, and they seem to come from disgruntled employees.