| How
can a vulnerable girl like you protect herself? |
- Say
goodbye to Bill - Quit using Microsoft products,
and switch to Linux
or Apple, as most
viruses appear to be written for Microsoft platforms.
- Use
a safer client - Switch to an email program other
than Microsoft Outlook, as 99% of worms appear to use this email program
and address books to proliferate! There are many other options available,
with our favorite being Sissify
feMail.
- Watch
what you open! - Never
open attachments that could possibly be executable files! Files ending
with .scr, .pif, .com, .exe, .js, etc all can contain scripts that can
infect your system. Set your email client to not automatically open
executable files.
- Did
you send this? - Many viruses can replicate themselves
and spread through e-mail.Often they appear to be sent by friends, or
<gasp> even your Staff! If unsure of what the email might be about,
contact the sender to confirm that they intentionally sent the attachment
to you.
- Anti-Virus
Software - Install an anti-virus software program,
such as those produced by McAfee,
or Norton
on your computer, and set it to scan your computer regularly for funny
business and check automatically for updates to protect against new
viruses. But these programs aren't enough sweetie; there's often
a lag between when a virus hits and when protection or a fix for the
virus becomes available.
- Firewalls
- If you have broadband Internet access, such as DSL or a cable modem,
most experts recommend installing a firewall program. Firewalls let
you select which programs on your PC can access the Internet. Why?
A malicious intruder might want to use programs on your computer to
do nasty things with others. Here's how they work.
- Keep
a good Backup - Yes, you've heard it before...
but when was the last time you made a complete copy of all your data
and software in case the unthinkable happens?
With just
a little bit of effort, you too can foil any attempt to do funny business
in your computer!
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