- Do not open any files
attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.
- 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.
- Delete chain emails and junk email.
Do not forward or reply to any to them. 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 err 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.
- If you are in doubt about any potential virus-related
situation you find yourself in, you may report a virus to your virus
software supplier
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