Protect Yourself from Viruses in Emails

Top 10 Tips to Keep Your Computer Virus Free

1. Install reliable anti-virus software.
                  Anti-virus software scans files regularly for unusual changes in file size, programs that match the software's database of known viruses, suspicious email attachments, and other warning signs. It's the most important step you can take towards keeping your computer clean of viruses.

2. Don't automatically open attachments.
                  Be sure your email program doesn't automatically download attachments. This will ensure that you can examine and scan attachments before they run. Refer to your email program's safety options or preferences menu for instructions.

3. Scan all incoming email attachments.
                  Be sure to run each attachment you plan to open through the anti-virus check. Do this even if you recognize and trust the sender; malicious code, like Trojan horses, can slip into your system by appearing to be from a friendly source.

4. Get immediate protection.
                  Configure your anti-virus software to boot automatically on start-up and run at all times. This will provide you back-up protection in case you forget to scan an attachment or decide not to. And in case you forget to boot up your anti-virus software, configuring it to start by itself will ensure you get immediate protection anyway.

5. Update your anti-virus software frequently.
                 An anti-virus program is only as good as the frequency with which it is updated. New viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are born daily, and variations of them can slip by software that is not current.

6. Don't download programs from the Web.
                 Unreliable sources such as Internet newsgroups or Web sites that you haven't heard of may be willing providers of viruses for your computer. Avoid downloading files that you can't be sure are safe. This includes freeware, screensavers, games, and any other executable program - any files with an ".exe" or ".com" extension, such as "coolgame.exe." Check to see if the site has anti-virus software running on their side. If you do have to download from the Internet, be sure to scan each program before running it. Save all downloads to one folder, then run virus checks on everything in the folder before using it.

7. Don't boot from a floppy disk.
                Floppies are one of the most common ways viruses are transmitted. If you are using a floppy while working on your computer, remove it when you shut the machine off or the computer will automatically try to boot from the floppy, perhaps launching any viruses on the disk.

8. Don't share floppies.
                 Even a well-meaning friend may unknowingly pass along a virus, Trojan horse, or worm. Label your floppies clearly so you know they're yours and don't loan them out. If a friend passes you a foreign floppy, suggest an alternative method of file sharing.

9. Scan floppies before using them. 
           This is always important, but especially if you are using the disk to carry information between one computer and another. You could easily pick up a virus from an insecure network and introduce it into your system. Running a virus scan before launching any of the programs on the disk will prevent infection.

10. Use common sense.
                 It's always better to err on the side of safety. If you're unsure about an attachment, delete it. Especially if it's from a source you don't recognize. If there are tempting animations on a site that look highly unprofessional, don't download them.

 

Life Cycle of a Virus

The life cycle of a virus begins when it is created and ends when it is completely eradicated. The following outline describes each stage:
Creation
Until recently, creating a virus required knowledge of a computer programming language. Today anyone with basic programming knowledge can create a virus. Typically, individuals who wish to cause widespread, random damage to computers create viruses.

ReplicationViruses typically replicate for a long period of time before they activate, allowing plenty of time to spread.

ActivationViruses with damage routines will activate when certain conditions are met, for example, on a certain date or when the infected user performs a particular action. Viruses without damage routines do not activate, instead causing damage by stealing storage space.

DiscoveryThis phase does not always follow activation, but typically does. When a virus is detected and isolated, it is sent to the ICSA in Washington, D.C., to be documented and distributed to antivirus software developers. Discovery normally takes place at least one year before the virus might have become a threat to the computing community.

AssimilationAt this point, antivirus software developers modify their software so that it can detect the new virus. This can take anywhere from one day to six months, depending on the developer and the virus type.

Eradication
If enough users install up-to-date virus protection software, any virus can be wiped out. So far no viruses have disappeared completely, but some have long ceased to be a major threat.