Ways to Protect Yourself Against Viruses

1. Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious, or untrustworthy source.
   
   
2. Do not open any files attached to an email, unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it.
   
   
3. Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected.
   
   
4. Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
   
   
5. Do not download any files from strangers.
   
   
6. Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and make sure your Anti-Virus is up-to-date.
   
   
7. Update your Anti-Virus software regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be at the least the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well.
   
   
8. Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.
   
   
9. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution, and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the most important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors for updates which include those for your operating system, web browser, and email. One example is the security section of the Microsoft website .

(Courtesy McAfee )