Seven tips to keep your email virus free04 February 2005
If you want your business to stay virus-free, an anti-virus program is an obvious addition to your system. If you already have one, you should update it regularly by keeping in contact with your anti-virus software provider.
With the spread of large headline making viruses - such as LoveBug and Melissa - software companies add the new virus to their systems as soon as possible - unfortunately this usually happens after the virus have begun to spread.
With this in mind, the best defence against viruses is for you to be aware of what you're doing - especially while online or reading emails. The BT Business Virus Filter scans all incoming emails and attachments to your BT Business mailbox - and lets you know when a virus has been detected.
Follow these basic tips to stay virus free:
1. Don't open unfamiliar attachments
Even if you receive an email with an innocuous subject line from someone you know, it can still be a virus attachment. Only open attachments you specifically expect to receive. If in any doubt, confirm them with the sender first.
2. Look at the attachment extension
Windows looks at the letters after the last full stop in a filename to see what kind of file it is. Are you expecting a text file (.txt)? If its name is "BillsFile.txt.exe", it isn't a text file - it's an executable program and running it could be trouble. Some of the extensions to watch for are: .exe, .com -- Standard Windows/DOS executable programs .js, .vbs -- JavaScript or Visual Basic Script programs.
3. Register for Windows updates
Register online at www.microsoft.com for automatic virus updates and security patches. If you are a Windows XP user, it is recommended you download Windows XP Service Pack 2 from the same site. This will enhance your computer and network security.
4. Enable Microsoft Word's Virus warnings
In Microsoft Word, go to the Tools menu and select Macros, then Security. If you don't usually use macros in your daily work, select the highlighted 'High Security' option. If you write your own macros, or work with people that do, select the 'Medium' option so you'll be alerted every time a document tries to load with macros in it.
5. Don't be afraid to ask
If you get an attachment you don't understand or that you're unsure of, reply to the sender and ask what it is. If it's a document you were supposed to receive, they'll tell you. If not, delete it immediately.
6. Be wary of small ad hoc programs
Some free programs (such as freeware or novelty screensavers) are actually viruses or cleverly disguised trojan programs. It's a good idea not to open these programs unless absolutely necessary.
7. Never give out your password
Remember the golden rule: anybody who needs your password already has it. Never give it out in email, chat rooms, instant messages, or over the phone. And make sure to choose a good password that you (and no one else) will remember.
Your BT Business Email Virus Filter will be updated soon to include an outgoing virus filter - protecting your contacts and customers against accidental virus infection. Make sure you come back regularly for updates to your free email anti-virus service.
