Our Hot Tips...
Do not open any files attached to an email
from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source. This
includes 'Spam' which may sound interesting, but could hide
a virus.
Do not open any files
attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if
it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know.
Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through
email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really
sent it.
Do not open any files
attached to an email if the subject line is questionable
or unexpected. If the need to do so is there always save
the file to your hard drive before doing so, and scan the
file with Antivirus software.
Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any of them, even if it offers
you the chance to be removed from their mailing list. These
types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited,
intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
Do not download any files
from strangers.
Exercise caution when
downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source
is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus
program checks the files on the download site. If you're
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. Over 500 viruses are discovered each
month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should
be at the least the products virus signature files. You
may also need to update the product's scanning engine as
well.
Back up your files on a regular
basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least
you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should
store your backup copy in a separate location from your
work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.
When in doubt, always lean on the
side of caution and do not open, download, or execute
any files or email attachments. Not executing is the more
important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors
for updates which include those for your operating system
web browser, and email. One example is the security site
section of Microsoft located at http://www.microsoft.com/security.
Remember to do the following at least ONCE
a week:
