Management tradeoffs in anti-virus strategies

This study evaluates current management and security practices with respect to computer virus infestations in business computer systems. Given the ris e in macro viruses within recent years many business firms have adopted eit her a restrictive or proactive management approach to the problem. It is un clear whether there is a significant difference between the approaches in t erms of user satisfaction and future virus outbreaks. The lack of consisten t computer backup procedures tends to exacerbate a virus outbreak. The cost structure used to address virus management tends to escalate depending on the severity of a virus episode. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.