Virus and Virus Hoax Information

Check these sites when you need informaton about a virus or when you have received a "Virus Warning" that you suspect may be a hoax.

www.sarc.com (Norton) or vil.mcafee.com (McAfee)

Anti-Virus Tips from Darrylin Coleman

(Darrylin Coleman is an Anti-virus Mentor and a member of the "Bug buster" team.")

An Ounce of Prevention… Safe Computing Tips To Keep Your Computer Virus-Free

Install anti-virus software; keep it updated; run weekly virus scans.

• If you haven’t used your computer for several days or more, update your anti-virus software as soon as you turn it on.
• Treat all e-mail attachments as potential virus threats.
  • Save attachments to a folder (such as “ Attachments”) on your hard drive and scan before opening, even if they’re from a known source.
  • Uncheck “ Hide file extensions for known file types.” (*See instructions below.) Never open executable files (with extensions like .exe, .com or .vbs) or those with double file extensions that arrive via e-mail, without scanning them first.
• Uncheck “ Show Preview Pane” in Outlook Express. ( View > Layout uncheck “Show Preview Pane.”)
• If you download from the Internet, scan each program before running it.
• Scan removable disks (floppies; CD’s; Zip disks) before using them.
• Avoid using pirated (illegally copied) software, which is a prime source of viruses.
• Use an Internet firewall. Enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) in Windows XP. Zone Alarm is free.
• Install security updates for Windows and Windows components.
• Back up your data files regularly. No anti-virus program is 100% effective.

Your Computer Club’s “Bug Busters”

* Windows 98: Windows Explorer > View > Folder Options > View tab. Uncheck “Hide file extensions for known file types.”

* Windows XP: Windows Explorer > Tools > Folder Options > View tax. Uncheck “Hide file extensions for known file types.”