This is a extensive list of tips to help you protect your computer against viruses. No method is 100% secure, but this should really help you cut back on them, or even have large breaks in-between infections. I follow these rules my self, but most call me a pro, but I consider myself as self taught, and somewhat wise. I have not had a virus in nine years. (knock on wood)
*Switching to viewing text only email messages with the "block on" for attachments.
*Using a different email software other than Outlook Express, or Outlook like Thunderbird which is made by Mozilla visit their website by going here: http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/ You are not obligated to use Thunderbird, anymore than you were obligated to use Outlook Express. Choice is great, and key to finding one you like. Try to pick one that allows you to choose the format you want for each email. Instead of being forced to use html, or graphics, etc. The biggest thing you will learn is that some of the ones that use fancy graphics, and lots of eye candy in the emails, are the same ones lots of users have problems viewing. Plus many people who get lots of email, trash the emails that have html or attachment's in them. So that email may look cute, or pretty, but lots of people are not seeing it because it is cute, or pretty.
*Don't open the following type email attachment's: .bat, .vbs, .cmd, .com, .cpl, .hta, .pif, .scr these for the most part contain a virus.
*Learn the different file formats that you intend to use often. Every File Format in the World from TechTarget: http://whatis.techtarget.com/fileFormatA/0,289933,sid9,00.html
*Coming to a agreement which includes viewing attachments only when a sender sends you a warning that the attachment is coming first. If you don't receive a warning a attachment is coming then trash them.
*If you use Linux, or have a Mac, you still need to run a anti-virus software because many of your friends do run Windows, and you need to protect their computer from yours which is not acceptable to Windows viruses, but can still pass the virus on to a Windows user.
*Check the subject line for the RE: if you didn't email someone with that subject line, then trash it.
*Allowing only family members with better verbal, reading, and rule following skills to view email, and websites, and placing everyone else on restrictions in order to protect all family accounts. Kind of harsh for some members. But if a user is not willing to follow directions, or are not able too, then they should be monitored.
*Placing computer in a high traffic area of the household in order to protect the younger users. (This includes hard headed teens) Children can be very click happy, and tend to click on everything because they may not be able to read it, but they know enough to know their might be something cool in the email, or on the website.
*Limiting outsiders from using your computer. Outsiders wont be in touch with your security measures. Plus there are a few that could care less if your computer gets infected or not. Face it... Your computer is not their problem. Also allowing a outsider to download to your computer is a very bad idea. So your better off making your computer only accessible to family members.
*Updating you virus definitions. This rule has been changed slightly for everyone. It use to be to update daily by allowing your anti-virus software to download on it's own. Now you should allow it to update on it's own, but during high traffic periods when virus/worms are in force and there is a greater activity of virus writers sending out multi different versions. You should update manually too as well. The reason for this is because when you have a high period of activity your anti-virus software may not be able to update fast enough to protect you. But other times with certain anti-virus software it may be always behind regardless of what is happening in the wild. So the manual update is a good idea to do at least once a week regardless of what is going on.
*Don't open emails from people you don't know. Plus be careful even if you do know someone with the name in the sender line.
*Don't open blank "subject" or blank "from" line emails. Chances are this is a virus.
*If a email looks suspicious from a friend, family, or business partner etc, don't open it. Send them a email and ask them first. Things to look for is does it fit the normal pattern that the sender has always used in the past? Did the sender use characters that in the past they have never used before? Are they using a language in the subject area that just doesn't sound like it's them? This is very important. Remember a email can be in your inbox and have a name of a close friend but thats all there is in common. The sender is using a scheme faking a common name just so you will take the bait.
*Now here is something that may dumb found you. Are they using a familiar phrase like "hello" or "it's me". Even "hi" in the subject line, but there is a attachment. Don't open it. This is because of the new virus. The subjects will be friendly, but they will have a attachment. I can't even tell you how many subject versions. There is quite a few. But the trick here is they use common subject sayings, along with common names of people in order to fool you into opening it.
*Stay on track of what is happening in the security world. Subscribe to a few newsletters. This is very important. It is your first line of defence in knowing what is going on online. Subscribe to your anti-virus software's newsletter too. You can keep one step ahead only if you know what viruses are out there, what they look like in the subject line, and how they effect your computer.
*Only open attachments from a business that you were expecting a attachment from. They are saying now days not to even confirm these emails were sent by the company just delete them. Even a well respected business can get a virus/worm. Your email address can be in their address book. If you must confirm it. Give them a chance to confirm sending a attachment, some it may take several days to respond to you. Accept a ignored email from you as a "no they didn't send it" Remember, if it is busy with several different viruses going around the internet at once. The business may be too busy to answer yes or no to anyone. So if you get no reply from them accept the no reply as a no they didn't send you anything and delete the attachment. If last resort, if you worry you deleted something important, call them.
*When purchasing a computer check the software offers, if they have a anti-virus software that you can buy instead of using the trial offer please buy the software. You will need this software anyway. To not get it means you have made a big mistake in the long run. Trial versions only last thirty to ninety days. A purchased software is good for one year.
*Know the websites you visit online. accept downloads from only those that you have been doing business with. Ask around before accepting downloads from those you don't know. This includes emails that say a download is waiting for you and to "click here". They are getting very creative trying to get you to take the bait. Don't fall victim to them.
*SCAN all downloads before you even extract (open) them. Right click the new download and select scan from the dropdown. Do this for all downloads. Remember even a legit software can accidentally pick up a virus!
*Be stingy with what you accept to download. Some websites are counting on you being click happy and download happy. Don't fall prey to their schemes. They offer you great deals of over 50% off on some software. This software is either a bootleg copy, or it is nothing more than a demo that most software vendors give you for free.
*Be stingy with what emails you open. If the subject doesn't interest you, then you are NOT obligated to open it. The same rule applies because email is downloaded to your computer and read, or it is viewed online on a web page though the browser. Either way you read your email, both can be devastating to your computer.
*Turn the preview pane off in your email client. A extra step in order to open a email is better than the one click and its open.
Turning this off is simple. Look at top in your email client. You should see "View" as one of the options to click on. Now select "layout..." Now untick under "preview pane" > "Show preview pane"
*Learn how to use the "message rules". Message rules is your friend!
This is located under "tools" > "message rules" > "mail" You can also get there by highlighting a email and selecting at top "message" > "create message rule"
*Never ever accept a download you wasn't expecting on a website. If you are on a website and a popup appears out of no where asking you to download or accept a download. Use the three finger salute ctrl > alt > delete. Some websites are now getting smart and it doesn't matter if you click the yes or the no, or the X it still will install the software. A window should appear with the list of programs now running. This will be under the "applications tab". The one to end task on will be the paper with the blue letter "E" on it. You may have several. if you are in doubt about which one it is, then end task on all the ones with the blue letter "E" or unless you are using Firefox, Opera, or what ever browser you may be using, the name of the software will be visible in this window. Choose the software and end task on it. Press that Esc key if nothing else works also. That key is the very first key on the upper left corner of your keyboard if all else fails. This also is the same for e-mails that you receive. Never download anything in a e-mail you wasn't expecting to receive.
*Read all EULAS (End User License Agreements)before you accept a install. A good majority will inform you of piggyback software, and of third party agreements. Remember... You aren't buying the software, you're buying a license to use the software. Piggyback software can be adware or spyware. neither of these types of piggyback software are good for your computer.
*If you are using a email client that is constantly causing you set backs trying to control your email then consider using a different email client. Remember! Just because that software is on your computer doesn't mean you have to use it. There are far to many email clients available. Search for one that has the features you need the most.
*Learn how to source emails instead of opening them. This is how you confirm if its a bad email or not. Sourcing the email allows you to view the email in text form only without risk to your computer.
To source a email highlight the email and right click and select "properties" from the menu. Select the "details tab" now click on the button at the bottom called "message source". You should see the email in its raw form. It will include the html code. But if the email has text in it, you should be able to scroll down and read the text to get a general idea of what the email is about.
*If your ISP is offering a free scan of email, then get it!
*If you must get a web based email account, then be sure you use a nick that no one can guess. "SallyG" can be guessed easily, but Sa11y4G_ is harder to guess. As I have here replace a few of the letters with numbers. number 4 becomes h. number 1 becomes L, number 0 becomes O Also it's better if a adult got a web based email account. Be sure to enable the bulk folder, and go with one that offers free scanning. Don't jump onto the first free email account offer. Some people use the accounts only as a means to receive email from a place that wants you to sign up and supply a email address. I just want you to understand that NOT all free email offers have your best interest at heart, and neither do the offers for a free email account.
If you do get a free account remember some are more acceptable to abuse than others. Use a hard password, and select a email name that is hard to guess.
*If you don't get anything from Microsoft as in updates... At least get your critical updates. These updates help to protect your computer. You need all the help you can get when it comes to the security of your computer.
*Allow only certain members of the household the option to download, all others are restricted. Please don't allow children to download. Set up a rule they have to ask, and you have to check out the software first.
*Instant messengers are nice to have you get to chat in real time. But I suggest blocking all downloads on them unless you are fortunate to have a Anti-Virus software that point blank says it scans and controls content on Instant messengers save yourself the headache and just block downloads. You will have a hard time keeping viruses out of your computer otherwise.
*Don't click on links in Instant messengers unless the one chatting with you has informed you they are supplying a link. A message along with the link doesn't count for a warning. Ask them if they just sent you a link. A few of the viruses on Instant messengers supply links to a virus. They use all kinds of methods to get you to click them also.
*Don't accept a new chatter for your buddy list unless you know who they are. A lot of people think its cool to have every person they can find on their buddy list. But you don't know who these people are. Quite a few of them are up to no good. Just stick with family and friends, and don't accept anyone else.
*Don't do business with a deceptive website. If a website has conned you then stay away from them. Never give in to them just because they are offering you something you want. If someone tells you a certain website is hurting computers, believe them for the most part. Because this type of rumor doesn't happen that often without a reason. Do give them the benefit of the doubt, and research the claims. Google, Yahoo, MSN all have good search engines use them.
*When you receive a deceptive email, remember so did many other people.
*Viruses can upgrade just like any other software. Unfortunately you can get many different versions of it in your inbox.
*Viruses can mask emails to look like they came from a certain person when in fact they didn't. So please don't accuse anyone of sending you one. If they may be infected, just send them a note in a email stating they could be infected, and leave it at that. A virus can even send out a email using YOUR email address. It does this by just grabbing emails off of someone's computer. Which could be located in their address book, or anywhere on their hard drive. So chances are their could be a email out there with your email address on it that contains a virus.
*If someone sends you a email stating you have a virus, then update your anti virus software manually, and then run a full computer scan. Just send the one informing you of a possible infection a thank you note, and leave it at that. Don't get into a email shouting match with them. It serves no purpose to shout, or accuse because today viruses can mask and even send them selves out as anyone they chose.
*A excellent place to get computer definitions is WhatIs.com: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definitionsAlpha/0,289930,sid9_alpA,00.html
