SaferPC.info

An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure

What can you do to prevent yourself from being infected? They're actually very simple rules. Follow them.

1. Never open attachments.
   I don't care how much you love your mother -- sister -- friend -- husband -- wife -- whoever!
   Do not open attachments.
   Many people will tell you that if you "trust" the sender to know whether or not a file has a virus, and you scan the file yourself, and the sender did intend to send the attachment to you and it's been the luckiest day of your life anyway, then it is "ok" to open the attachment. Don't believe them. If you don't open email attachments you still may not be protected, but at least you know you have minimized the potential for infection.
2. Install existing patches.
   The vast majority of viruses in the wild, exploit bugs, flaws and insecurities in products that have already been corrected. If you are using a product that does not have that "patch" applied you may as well install the virus yourself! Most vendors have web sites where you can download patches to their products. Here's a few common ones:
   • Microsoft (All Service Packs):
     http://support.microsoft.com/ default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;sp
   • Microsoft Windows Update:
     http://www.windowsupdate.com/
   • Microsoft Office Update:
     http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/
   • Microsoft Security:
     • http://www.microsoft.com/security/
     • http://www.microsoft.com/ technet/security/default.mspx
   • Apple/Mac:
     • http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
     • http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.aspx
     • http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798
   • And for the rest of them:
     For every other software package on your system you should go to the vendors site and see if a patch is available. If there is you should download and install it. If there is not, browse the site until you find the "notify" request or subscribe to their "updates"/"announcements" list. If they do not appear to have one you can always email "webmaster@" or "admin@" that domain and ask them if there is a list, and if not to create one. It is in their best interest to help their users maintain the securiy of their computers.
3. Do not engage in "promiscuous" activity.
   "Trust" is real – every site you visit, every file you download, and every application you install places files on your computer. That's just the way it all works.
   These files can potentially exploit insecurities that are less-often patched. If you visit a site of "questionable nature" – anything and everything on the site should be considered untrustworthy.
   Be careful when you click links and if you notice your system slowing then "maybe something's wrong"? If you're installing pirated software there is a very good chance that it includes a virus. And it's illegal. And it's immoral. Just don't do it.
4. Trust your instincts.
   Regardless of what it is, where it came from, how it got where it is - if you have any instincts at all - when something nags you in the back of your mind not to open something don't do it!
5. REGULARLY update your antivirus software.
   AntiVirus software does not get better with age. In fact, it becomes near useless. Unless you intend to update your virus definitions often and regularly don't bother with the antivirus at all. You will be no better off in the long run.
6. Read item number one again.

What is an antivirus program?