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Protection from Viruses

Do Not Open E-mail Attachments...
I Repeat: Don't Open E-mail Attachments!

When can you tell a virus is attached to your e-mail? Although the following e-mail virus characteristics are not all inclusive, they represent a majority of them.

A duplicate e-mail with an attachment. If you receive two e-mails from the same person with the same subject and only one has an attachment, delete the e-mail with the attachment. Do not even open it. As a courtesy, send the person an e-mail explaining what you received because chances are, they do not know they are sending viruses to others. Click here to see a sample letter to friends who send attachments.

Any message with an attachment. If in doubt, throw it out. Do not rely on the fact that a friend sent you the e-mail since most people do NOT know they are sending a virus, including your friends. You can always send an e-mail to the original person asking if they meant to send you an attachment. Typically, a virus attachment will have an EXE or BAT extension, such as HAPP99.EXE or PARK.EXE (notice the endings are EXE). However, Microsoft Word documents that end in DOC have been know to carry bugs too. When you have deleted the e-mail EMPTY the deleted folder for protection.

To check if you have an e-mail virus, send yourself an e-mail. For instance, compose the e-mail as normal and just put your e-mail address in the TO: box, and click send.

Next Page

Section 1

Protection from
Junk Mail

Section 2

Protecting Others
from Junk Mail

Section 3

Protection
from Viruses

Don't Open
E-mail Attachments

Invest in an
Anti-Virus Program