PCI Compliance and Virus Protection
Part 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software or programs.
Part 5 of the PCI compliance standards is to use and regularly update an anti-virus package. The main points of this part of the standard is to use an anti-virus program that effectively detects and deals with viruses. Almost all major anti-virus packages will fulfill this portion. However, an anti-virus system is only as effective as it’s “signatures.” Anti-virus signature files are the rules to detect the various threats that these software tools protect against. These are what is downloaded when you update your anti-virus software. Another name for them is detection rules.
It is important to regularly schedule anti-virus updates and run scans. Most anti-virus software will allow you to schedule these tasks so that you don’t have to constantly be watching them. You should however check your anti-virus software from time to time to make sure that it is up to date and that scheduled tasks are completing.