Protective measures you can take against computer viruses.
Anti-virus software will prevent the vast majority of viruses from entering your computer. But they are not bullet-proof. The following points can help prevent a virus infection of your computer.
- Do not open run, download or forward any files (such as executables, documents, spreadsheets, etc.) that are attached to emails and that come from unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy sources.
- Do not open any files attached to an email unless you recognize what it is, even if it comes from someone you know. Keep in mind, that although JPG, GIF and MP3 files cannot be infected with a virus, they can be disguised as files of these types. Jokes, pictures, graphics, screensavers and movie files should be treated with the same amount of suspicion as other file types. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through emails. It might be worthwhile to call the person who sent it to you, to verify what they sent.
- Do not open any files with a double file extension, (e.g. iamavirus.txt.vbs). Under normal circumstances you would never need to receive or use these.
- Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any of them. These types of email are considered spam, which are unsolicited, intrusive mail that clog up networks.
- Do not download any files from strangers.
- Be cautious when downloading files from the Internet. Make sure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program is being used to check the files at the download site. If you are uncertain, don't download the file at all, or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.
- Update your anti-virus software regularly. On the average over 16 new viruses are discovered each day, so you'll want to be well protected.
- Back up your files on a regular basis. That way if a virus destroys your files, you can replace them with your backup copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, preferably not on your computer but on a floppy, a Zip disk or on a writeable or re-writable CDROM.
- Make sure that your browser and operating system have the latest security updates.
- Turn off the preview pane in Outlook Express.
Having the Preview pane in Outlook Express open may allow some file attachments to run automatically. If the file attachment is a virus, (which incidentally, can be named anything) then your computer will become infected. To avoid this potential problem you can turn off the preview pane by:
a) Opening Outlook Express.
b) Click on "View" then "Layout".
c) Uncheck the box next to "Show preview pane" on the bottom half of the layout page.
Please note; To read any email, you will need to open it first (by double clicking on it). If the email has an attachment, it will appear as a paper clip. If you do not know what is in the email attachment it is probably best to delete it. Because Viruses often use an infected computer's address book to send out emails, they can come from people you know. As was previously noted, you may want to give the person who sent you the email a call to verify what was sent.
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