Tip Sheet to Avoid: Computer Viruses, Worms, Trojan Horses, E-mail Viruses and Others:

Aimee Chanhatasilpa

SLM 521 Spring 05 Elective 10

May 7, 2005

To keep your computer and your data safe from viruses and other unwanted and potentially destructive programs, implement the following safety measures:

v Do not download and/or click on everything you see on the internet:

Ø Be selective and discriminating – only visit trusted sites and retailers.

Ø Do not click on pop-up adds. It’s almost never a good idea and may lead to you receiving a deluge of pop-ads.

v Run anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your system:

Ø You may even wish to run two anti-virus, anti-spyware programs to have adequate protection from destructive coding. McAfee, www.mcafee.com, is a trusted anti-virus software company.

Ø Enable your MSWord program to protect you from macros viruses.

v Never open e-mail attachments you are unfamiliar with especially if they are from strangers:

Ø Be careful even of e-mail attachments from friends, they may have unwittingly sent you an infected file.

v Be careful of the sources from which you download software:

Ø The diskette everyone passes around the office or through friends may have picked up any number of viruses along the way.

Ø Only download software through the internet from trusted retailers or manufacturers.

v Use a less popular operating system with stronger security:

Ø Though actually trying to use UNIX may drive you to destroy your computer with your own two hands, the operating system works well at protecting the hard drive and data from viruses.

Ø Linnex is also a popular alternative to all things Microsoft and may help you avoid viruses largely written to exploit Microsoft products and mistakes.