Posted by John Behle on January 27, 2004 at 14:25:48:
In Reply to: Re: Another nasty virus posted by Nancy Camel on January 27, 2004 at 08:30:50:
Delete them immediately. Never open an attachment when you don't know what it is. Assume the Unibomber has acquired a computer.
Viruses don't attach themselves to good mail that you would want to read - they are purely virus. If you think a friend might have sent something - then contact the friend first.
I've even had things I was almost certain were from friends that I have verified first. Jokes, graphics, animations, etc. usually get deleted also. Even a birthday or greeting card could contain a virus or spyware.
The only thing better is to actually delete them from the server. There are many programs that can do this, but I like Mailwasher Pro. I delete spam, viruses and emails I don't want right from the email server. They never come near my computer or have the possibility of doing any damage. Even basic emails can have the possiblity of gathering personal information from your computer through cookies, web bugs and other means.
Just reading an email without opening attachments can trigger some of these types of spyware programs, give away personal information and verify that you received the email even if you delete it.
The risk is that there are types of viruses and an increasing push towards viruses that can trigger just by reading an email.
You just have to view your computer as a doorway. You wouldn't open the door for a stranger when you know there is danger outside - your computer should be view the same way. It's sad, that we have to take all the precautions we do, but that's just the realities.
In today's internet environment, you need antivirus software, a firewall, a spam blocker and might want to have a popup blocker.
- Re: Delete. . . . . delete . . . . delete . . . . NEVER OPEN Glenn Camp 21:33:36 1/27/2004 (1)
- My third most valuable program John Behle 00:39:14 1/28/2004 (0)