Computer Virus Tips and Information
by Roy Garza

Tips on preventing virus problems:

1)  We as computer users read our email regularly and often times we go ahead and open all the mail.  If you have any mail from a suspicious source which you usually never get mail from.  Don't open it. If you are not sure delete it.

2)  Try not opening mail messages with attachments with it, even if it is from a friend or a known acquaintance.  Sometimes they not knowingly will attach the same file that was sent to him and email to you, be cautious. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email.

3)  Most of us have an inquiring mind and solicit for emails from groups or information web sites and subscribe to emails.  Some companies sometimes provide lists of users to other users or companies and you might receive lots of mail from people and companies you never heard of.  Most of this emails are junk mail or chain mails.  This types of email are considered spam which are not solicited by you and clog up our network.

4)  Do not download any files from strangers.

5)  Be cautious when downloading files from the internet.  If you know that the source is legitimate and a reputable one go ahead, but if you download the file run an anti-virus scan program software on the file, just to be on the safe side.

6)  Update your anti-virus software regularly.  At least way over 500 viruses are discovered each month,  so you want to be protected.  Our current version of the VirusScan software is McAfee VirusSan Enterprise + Anti-Spyware Module 8.0.0 the Scan Engine is 5100 and the virus definition file as of Aug. 30, 2007 was 5109.  If you have an older version please call the IS&P Help Desk at 872-2111 for assistance or simply right click on the McAfee shield located at he bottom right had corner of the task bar, select About Virus Scan Enterprise look to see if you have the correct Virus Definitions, it should tell you what they are set at.  You can also right click on the McAfee shield and select Update Now and the application will down load the latest definition files for you virus protection program.  If you need assistance to update your files please contact the IS&P Help Desk so that we can create a work order for a technician to be scheduled to go update your files.

7) One of the most important things for a person is to have his/or her files at their disposal at all times, either to append or print files that are most used.  Please, back up important files on a regular basis.  If a virus should infect you computer it might destroy those files that you need the most if they are kept in your hard drive.  If you do not have a storage device a flash pen can come in handy, have your department AA order one from a vendor.  So keep you files backed up often and store them in separate location away from you work files, one that is preferably not at your computer.

What are viruses?

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