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The
Top Ten Virus Rules of Safety
| 1. |
Do
not open any files attached to an email
from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy
source. |
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| 2. |
Do
not open any files attached to an email
unless you know what it is, even if
it appears to come from a dear 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. |
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| 3. |
Do
not open any files attached to an email
if the subject line is questionable
or unexpected. If the need to do so
is there always save the file to your
hard drive before opening the file. |
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| 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. |
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| 5. |
Do
not download any files from strangers.
This includes “Peer-2-Peer”
networks like Kazaa, Morpheus, Napster
(old system), Altnet, eMule, IRC, and
countless other programs. |
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| 6. |
Exercise
caution when downloading files from
the Internet. Ensure that the source
is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify
that an anti-virus program checks the
files on the download site. If you're
uncertain, don't download the file at
all or download the file to a floppy
and test it with your own anti-virus
software. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 more 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
site section of Microsoft located at
www.microsoft.com/security. |
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| 10. |
If
you are in doubt about any potential
virus related situation you find yourself
in, please contact SADA Systems, Inc.
immediately. You can forward the suspicious
email to sadasupport@sadasystems.com,
and we’ll get back to you regarding
the status of that email. |
Opening
Attachments the Safe Way
NEVER OPEN ANY ATTACHMENTS without
scanning them for viruses first. |
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NEVER OPEN ANY ATTACHMENTS unless
you are expecting them, know who
they're from and have scanned
them for viruses first. If you
are in doubt, do not open the
attachment - contact the sender
asking them to confirm what they
have sent you (and why) |
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NEVER OPEN ANY ATTACHMENTS directly
from within your email client.
Always save attachments to disk
first and then scan them before
opening them. It is best not to
assume that your virus scanner
is set up to scan incoming email
correctly. Doing it manually,
so you can see that it is working,
is the safest way. |
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Introduction
to File Extensions
File extensions identify file types in
Windows-Based PC’s. They are usually
three to four characters long, and some
file types are more dangerous than others.
Knowing file extensions can help you make
educated decisions and exercise greater
caution - it will also help you pin-point
virus hoaxes. Some popular File Types are:
.doc -
Microsoft Word Document
.xls -
Microsoft Excel Document
.jpg -
Picture File Type
Q:
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW/VIEW
FILE EXTENSIONS?
A:
THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM!
For example, the 'love-bug' virus arrived
as an email attachment named 'iloveyou.txt.vbs'.
The '.vbs' part was hidden from many users
who, believing it to be a harmless text
file, opened it...
Q: WHAT
IF MY COMPUTER DOESN’T SHOW ME MY FILE
EXTENSIONS? A:
BY DEFAULT, WINDOWS-BASED PC’S HIDE
FILE EXTENSIONS.
The result is you can't always tell what
a file really is and may accidentally run
a dangerous email attachment.
ACTIONS
TO TAKE TO SEE FILE EXTENSIONS:
- Open Windows Explorer.
- Click Tools > Folder Options >
View and under 'Files and Folders' make
sure that 'Hide file extensions for known
file types' is UNCHECKED.
- While you're there you might also want
to CHECK 'Show all files' under 'Hidden
files'.
The Most Dangerous File Types
.ade: Microsoft
Access project extension
.adp: Microsoft
Access project
.bas: Microsoft
Visual Basic class module
.bat: Batch
file
.chm: Compiled
HTML Help file
.cmd: Microsoft
Windows NT Command script
.com: Microsoft
MS-DOS program
.cpl: Control
Panel extension
.crt: Security
certificate
.exe: Program
.hlp: Help
file
.hta: HTML
program
.inf: Setup
Information
.ins: Internet
Naming Service
.isp: Internet
Communication settings
.js: JScript
file
.jse: Jscript
Encoded Script file
.lnk: Shortcut
.mdb: Microsoft
Access program
.mde: Microsoft
Access MDE database
.msc: Microsoft
Common Console document
.msi: Microsoft
Windows Installer package
.msp: Microsoft
Windows Installer patch
.mst: Microsoft
Visual Test source files
.pcd: Photo
CD image, Microsoft Visual compiled script
.pif: Shortcut
to MS-DOS program
.reg: Registration
entries
.scr: Screen
saver
.sct: Windows
Script Component
.shs: Shell
Scrap object
.shb: Shell
Scrap object
.url: Internet
shortcut
.vb: VBScript
file
.vbe: VBScript
Encoded script file
.vbs: VBScript
file
.wsc: Windows
Script Component
.wsf: Windows
Script file
.wsh: Windows
Script Host Settings file
AND NOTE:
These lists are NOT complete, and software/coding
technology changes all the time!
Files Types that Cannot Contain
Viruses
.jpg: Picture
or Photo
.gif: Picture
or Photo
.txt: Text
File
BUT –
Remember the “iloveyou.txt.vbs”
examples from above.
CONCLUSION:
All of the technology
in the world cannot protect you 100%. The
most important weapons against virus infection
are education, and the exercise of caution
at the end-user level.
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