Basic Virus Precautions

Basic advice for email and web users to thwart viruses:

• Be wary of virus activity at all times.  Viruses have 3 points of entry:  Internet, Email, and removable media such as USB sticks or floppy disks.
• Always run an up-to-date antivirus program, even on Macs.  There are many excellent and free AV programs available such as AVG or Avira free editions that can be downloaded from CNET's download.com.
• Instead of clicking links shown in email messages, manually type the web address directly in your browser. In the case of emails from social networking sites like Facebook, manually log onto your profile to respond to messages rather than clicking on links in emails. Many viruses clone themselves to look like emails from popular networking sites.
• If possible, disable the reading preview pane in your email program and do not open email from people you do not know or suspicious looking email.
• Never click any links or buttons on Internet windows that suddenly popp up. They can lead to viruses. Instead, press the Ctrl and W keys simultaneously to shut the window.
• Enter personal information only to secure websites (the URL should start with https://).
• If you do not know and trust the site you at, do not install any software from it, especially if it claims to be the only way to open a photo, music or video file.
• Enter personal information only to secure websites (the URL should start with https://).
• If you do not know and trust the site you at, do not install any software from it, especially if it claims to be the only way to open a photo, music or video file.