The
following are not all inclusive but
the main causes of virus infections.
Feel Free to Print the following and post at your workplace
or incorporate it into your computer usage policies. You may
download a copy of this in Microsoft Word format HERE.
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 (recommended weekly). 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 our support team.