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Virus Protection
Procedures
We want to warn our clients and friends of some of some
security issues which may be even more important to
understand in the coming days, and have put them in the
following list:
- Do: back-up all important files on your computer(s)
and keep a copy in a location other than the computer
location, preferably a safe deposit box.
- Never, never, never open attachments to emails from
an unknown source. Delete the email immediately.
- Even with E-mail from someone you KNOW, DO NOT open
attachments unless and until you have separate
information from that source as to the type of attachment
and it's contents. Even then, do not open it unless you
have up-to-date anti-virus software properly installed on
your computer. Doing so could lead to loss of data.
- Certain spread sheets and other program or executable
files attached to E-mails can contain viruses of which
the sender is NOT aware. So take no comfort if your
friend tells you an attachment did not damage their
computer; Virus actions are frequently RANDOM.
- If you visit Web Sites linked in an unsolicited email
message, those Web Sites frequently collect personal
information from your computer which, at best may cause
you to be placed on more junk email lists, and at worst
can steal credit card and other personal information
stored on your computer. Many such programs ONLY require
that you click a button, usually marked "ENTER" to start
this clandestine information collection process.
- If you have responded to random "Chain" emails in the
past, whether for prayers or for the hope of winning
money or vacations, please STOP. Terrorists and their
supporters can easily use such tools to create millions
of false trails for authorities to follow, thus thwarting
efforts to locate and bring them to justice. Likewise,
remove any unknown or outdated E-mail addresses from your
E-mail address book.
- Don't: ever respond to an E-mail that offers to
"remove you from an E-mail list". They are usually simply
verifying your E-mail address so they can sell it to
others for more money.
- Do: install anti-virus software and update it every
two weeks, or at minimum, once each month.
- Use only software updates available from legitimate
Vendor Website downloads such as Windows Update. Never
download software offered in an unsolicited email, unless
you know it is from a legitimate source.
- If you are not sure if your computer is running
up-to-date anti-virus software, you may want to visit the
following Web Site to run free security checks available
from Symantec, publisher of Norton AntiVirus software:
http://security1.norton.com/us
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