Computer Safety

There is one thing we all need to be aware of in regard to computer safety: the most treacherous schemes are spread through e-mail message attachments. These programs include Viruses, Trojans and Worms. How are they spread this way?

The most commonly used method is through e-mails sent with a file attachment that carries a misleading file name or a message with an innocuously innocent topic (such as Happy Birthday) in the subject line.  Often people are deceptively lured by this and they open the attachment.

There is one thing we all need to be aware of in regard to computer safety: the most treacherous schemes are spread through e-mail message attachments. These programs include Viruses, Trojans and Worms.  How are they spread this way? The most commonly used method is through e-mails sent with a file attachment that carries a misleading file name or a message with an innocuously innocent topic (such as Happy Birthday) in the subject line.  Often people are deceptively lured by this and they open the attachment.

When a computer user opens an e-mail attachment that contains an unsafe Virus, Trojan or Worm, the computer automatically runs the program, which infects the computer. Once a computer system is infected, depending on what type of malevolent program is installed, many unfortunate and hazardous consequences can result.
 
For example, Worm programs will search the user’s computer system for e-mail addresses and once it finds some, the Worm will forward itself (the Worm program) automatically to those found addresses. 

Viruses and Trojans will repeatedly modify or delete files on the computer user’s system. At their worst, they may even have the capability to erase an entire hard drive of a computer. Talk about a cyber-safety issue!

For the safety and security of your computer system, there are a couple of steps you can take to protect yourself against these vicious programs. First, make sure you purchase and download a strong spyware, virus and security software. Some popular and effective examples of these software programs are:

Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2008 - 1 User - PC
Symantec Norton AntiVirus v.10.0 - Complete Product
PC - Email Watch Dog
SonicWALL 300 Email Security Appliance
Computer Associates Anti-Virus Plus Anti-Spyware 2008
Webroot Software, Inc.
Bit Defender Cyber Protection Software

Second, study the list of dangerous file extensions below. If you receive an e-mail message with an attachment bearing one of these extensions, for the safety of your computer, no matter how enticing the message or subject topic may be, don’t open that attachment!

If the e-mail attachment does not show its file extension, which is often the case in Outlook Express, you can display the file extension by following these steps:
1. Open My computer.
2. Go to Folder Options. This is usually on the Tools menu but may be on the View menu depending on what Windows operating system you are using.
3. On the correct tab, remove the check mark beside Hide file extensions for known file types.
4. Click the OK button.

This will enable you to see the file extensions on all e-mail attachments that are delivered to your computer.

Note, however, that many e-mail attachments are data files that you may need. Data files can be activated only by programs already installed in your computer. Thus, file extensions like .doc, .xcl, .ppt, and .pdf refer to data files from familiar applications software and are safe to open. If you use the software regularly, you would know its corresponding file extension. The chart below lists other file extensions safe to open.

Further, be extremely suspicious of any file extensions that have a double extension (for example: zoompic.jpg.exe.). Customarily, safe files have only one-three or four letter extension. Therefore a file with more than one extension is most likely attempting to trick you into opening the attachment. File attachments with .exe or .com extensions are actually programs that can cause havoc in your computer once they are embedded and activated.

One final precaution to be aware of: if you see a file attachment that appears to be the URL for a web site, discard the e-mail immediately. For example, the highly damaging and rampant Worm called “My Party” was sent out as a file attachment that looked like a link to a website (www.myparty.yahoo.com). But it was not really a link; rather, it was a .com MS-DOS application file. Remember, a valid URL is not usually sent as a file attachment; instead, it is incorporated in the body of the message, appearing in blue as a direct hyperlink.