hi
>>garret wrote
>>I have a question for any techies on the list: should i really pay attention
>>to these virus warnings? do they only activate (if that's the right word)
>>when i open an attachment? or can they do harm merely through receiving
>>them?
more & more of these warning are true - due to more & more viruses in circulation.
some viruses can be activated when they are just previewed in the preview pane -
others need to be activated by running the file to which they are attached..
the best way to safeguard yourself is to take the following steps:
1 ) get an antivirus program macafee, norton, f-prot - are all good, reliable
programs
2 ) get an antivirus program
3 ) get an antivirus program
macafee, norton, f-prot - are all good, reliable programs. macafee used to release a
free, shareware version for home use - im not sure if they still do.
4 ) update your virus definition files regularly
5 ) subscribe to a reputable newsletter - i would recomend woodys office
watch, or woodys windows watch
http://www.woodyswatch.com/ i cant say with authority that is is the
best - but it works for me!!
6 ) download microsoft security patches & update regularly - *BUT* only after
your newsletter has reviewed the updates and advised - some of these are total
disasters & will cripple your system!!!! go to the link above, and do some research as
to how to determine which software versions, service packs, and security patches you
have, & which you need to apply - im not sure how easy this is as ive never actually
done it myself - the company keeps up to date on these things.
7 ) set your machine to show all file extensions. *NEVER* click on an
executable attachment unless you know where it is from , and it has been scanned by
your anti virus. extensions concerned would be .exe .com .bat vbs .dll pay particular
attention for files with double extensions - eg - filename.txt.vbs, or
filename.txt.vbs - 99.99999% sure to be a virus!!
8 ) if in doubt - delete!!!!!! then go to your "deleted items" and delete
again!!!!!
9 ) if possible - back up regularly.
ron
