Always
run an up-to-date anti-virus program and use it's real-time protection.
Up-To-Date means that you update the program weekly to make sure the
virus definition files are current. You can set up most software to
check for updates automatically. Check your software and make sure
the virus definitions are current at least once a week. Real-time
protection means that your anti-virus program checks all incoming
and outgoing files for viruses and stops the transfer of files if
it finds one. If
you need a good free antivirus program click here!
NEVER
NEVER NEVER NEVER open an e-mail attachment unless you know what
it is and who sent it.
Make
sure the person that is showing as the sender is the one who sent
it. Many viruses will send copies of itself to everyone in the infected
users address book. For example, if I had your e-mail in my address
book and I opened an infected file and started the virus, it would
send you a copy of the virus with me as the sender and it will probably
have a subject line you would be interested in. So even if you get
an e-mail from me with an attachment, don't open it until you contact
me and asked if I sent it to you.
Make
sure your system is set to view the entire file name of attachments.
To
do that, In Windows Explorer, select Tools, Folder Options, View.
In the dialog box, click the “Hide extensions for known file
types” box to uncheck it. Many viruses attempt to hide their
identity by adding an additional period and 3 digit extension to
the file name. For example, picture.jpg.vbs may appear on your computer
as picture.jpg. You think it is a picture file and you open it --
you just started a Visual Basic Script (vbs) virus. NEVER NEVER
NEVER NEVER open a file with the .vbs extension unless you know
what it does. Normally, you are a high level user (programmer) if
you need to use .vbs files.
It
is always better to be safe than sorry.
There
are a lot of legitimate files out there with an extension of .exe.
There are also a lot of viruses out there with an extension of .exe.
Is it worth taking a chance? If no, delete the e-mail and move on.
If
you open an e-mail with an attachment and your computer seems to
"go mad", then shut it down immediately.
By
"go mad", I mean unusual hard drive activity and maybe
even a slowing down of the computer. This can be an indication that
the virus is sending itself to the people in your address book or
damaging files on your hard drive - even formatting it.
If
you contract a virus, seek help.
Go
to the Symantec, McAfee, F-Secure, or other anti-virus web-sites
for information on the virus and how to remove it. Be aware that
some viruses have programming in them that prevents your browser
from going to these sites. Also some viruses can literally destroy
your computer, so you may have to use another computer for your
investigation.
E-mails
are the number one way of contracting a virus, but are not the only
way.
You
can also get a virus by downloading files from the internet, or
even visiting a malicious web site. The key to survival here is
"Use Caution". If you download files from the internet
be sure to scan them for viruses before opening them. If you go
to a known hacker site you can expect to get Viruses, Trojans, and
be attacked by hackers.
The
Internet is the number one way of contracting a virus (through e-mails,
downloads, and malicious web sites), but is not the only way.
You
can also get viruses by inserting and reading infected floppy disks
and CD-Rom disks. Before you do anything else, scan these for viruses.
Don't
propagate HOAX viruses.
These
are not really viruses, but are fictitious e-mails that wander around
the internet warning of gloom, doom, and falling skies. They usually
tell the reader to "pass this on to everyone you know!"
I would estimate that 95% or more of these viruses alerts are a
HOAX. Don't send it to anyone unless and until you know for sure
that it is legitimate. Why not? These e-mails cause several detrimental
effects that may be as bad as an actual virus. First, they cause
people to delete and not read what may be legitimate e-mails. One
that is going around is "A Virtual Card for You!" warning.
After reading this, a person may delete legitimate cards from family
and friends. Second, they de-sensitize the public to the problem
of viruses. After seeing so many of these, people tend to not heed
them anymore. Then a real warning comes out which they ignore and
they get infected by a virus. Third, they cause massive traffic
to certain websites like Microsoft, Symantec, and McAfee. You can
check out the legitimacy of a virus by going to Symantec and looking
up the suspected virus. It will say HOAX if it is not real.
Even
if you do everything right, you may still get a virus.
When
a new virus comes out, it usually takes at least 24 hours before
a virus definition is released for it. You may get the virus before
your anti-virus system is updated. Authors of these viruses are
usually people that think it is a game. Their objective is to write
a virus that gets around all of your protection. If they are successful,
you may contract a virus. What to do? Make sure you have backups
to the extent possible. For home computers, this may mean storing
critical data on floppies, USB memory devices or CD-R/CD-RW (These
are relatively cheap by the way.) If you get a nasty virus, and
there are some out there that will cause you to replace your computer,
then backups may be the only hope you have of restoring critical
and irreplaceable data.
If you think you have a virus call us now
Email
:
tips@mikeburridge.co.uk
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