My PERSONAL Computer
VIRUS PROTECTION
The Internet and Diskettes from external sources are the primary source of virus infection of computers, which can cause the corruption or loss of data, resulting in severe disruption to your FUN and WORK.
The provision of facilities (e.g. software) and safe practices to enable the prevention, detection and removal of any software virus before any major loss ensues, is STRONGLY recommended. In addition these measures should ensure that you are not responsible for an infection of someone else's computer.
As there is a considerable flow of data ( on diskettes) between friends, it is important that you consider the following procedures:
a full 'scan' of the computer regularly, at least once per week
operation of 'shield' software at all times to detect and prevent any potential infection
scanning of all diskettes, received from external sources (including the client), before any data is accessed or transferred from the diskette
scanning of all diskettes prior to forwarding to another departmental employee, clients or any external organisation
timely upgrading of the Virus Scanning Software and/or the Virus Signature files when they become available.
It is important that the latest software and files are used at all times.
Email Viruses
Real Viruses
Occasionally you may receive attachments from friends. Unfortunately this is the very method most commonly used to spread an email virus, like Melissa or LoveBug etc, etc.
Normally the email suggests the attachment is something you need or want - a real gift ! Usually the attachment (a .exe file) executes when the attachment is opened, and then starts to spread itself by emailing the people in your Address Book. Thus they could receive an email from a friend, and potentially risk being infected, and spreading the virus even further.
These types of viruses have been known to bring entire servers and networks to a Halt.
So if you receive an unexpected attachment (especially a .exe file), even from a trusted friend - BEWARE.
If in Doubt, DELETE it immediately !!
Personally, when I receive such email, I delete it, then email the sender asking them to confirm they had sent something, and if they hadn't to check their own system for a virus. If the email was legitimate your friend can easily email it to you again, and no harm done.
Hoaxes
You may receive email warnings about devastating new viruses, viruses that destroy your system, and malicious software that can steal files or worse. In addition messages about free money, children in trouble, and other items intended get you to forward the message to everyone in your Address Book. Most of these messages are hoaxes or chain letters. While these emails do not infect systems, they are still time consuming and costly to remove from all the systems where they have been emailed. Sending an unconfirmed warning or plea to everyone you know with the request that they also send it to everyone they know simply adds to the clutter already filling our mailboxes.
Please - should you get an email warning of a virus and suggesting you forward the warning to all your friends, take the time to check out the virus/warning at sites like
http://www.ciac.org/
http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.aspThe chances are the warning is a hoax, and the only "virus" is the continued duplication of the email itself and best thing you can do for yourself and your friends is DELETE it.