How to Read Your E-mail Safely
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One of the most important ways
for you and other computer users
(family, workmates, etc.) to "surf safe" is to learn how to deal
with incoming e-mail attachments...
you don't want to infect your computer or spread virus or worms to others. Reading e-mail usually isn't the problem, but, files attached to e-mail, (like any other document or program you receive) can contain a worm or virus. Before opening any e-mail attachment, you should scan it for problems with virus protection software that is CURRENT. That means any attachment from anyone -- as the SirCam worm has shown, a message from someone you know and trust can be infected, because the message was sent from their computer without their knowledge...by the worm! (And now, the KLEZ bug captures your e-mail address, takes it with... to the next guys computer, and sends buggy mail that looks like it is from you, from that guys computer. WOW!) And, current means that you have the latest (THIS WEEK) virus definitions downloaded to your computer. Norton anti-virus software has a live update button and will check your computer to see if you are current. You MUST also keep your windows operating system and all microsoft products on your computer updated with the latest fixes. Some anti-virus packages will scan incoming e-mail automatically or you can scan the file after saving it to a floppy disk... When there is a large risk of virus, you can forward your e-mail to an off site account and open it there. You still do not want to open an attachment without scanning it first. Yahoo mail offers a virus scanner and a "check a box" to have the sender notified that they are sending infected e-mail. |
