There are only two ways for your computer to get a virus:
1. You load the virus onto your computer through an infected floppy, CD-ROM, or other storage medium.
2. The virus arrives by a downloaded file, email attachment, or other method from the Internet or a network.
At this point, an infected file is on your computer’s hard drive. But remember, your computer will only become infected if you launch or view the file, or run the infected program.
So an important tip is to always scan new files for viruses before you use them.
Take these precautions when working with files and the Internet:
- Before you load a file or install software onto your computer from a floppy disk or CD-ROM, use your antivirus program to scan the floppy or CD.
- If you receive an email attachment from an unfamiliar email address, or an attachment you were not expecting, either scan it or delete it (preferred).
- If you receive an email attachment from someone you know, and your antivirus program does not automatically scan incoming emails, save the attachment to your hard drive and scan it with the antivirus program. Your friend or colleague’s computer may be infected with a virus.
- When you download software from the Internet, be sure to download it from the software company’s site or a recognized download site ( http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/ , http://www.download.com or http://www.tucows.com for example). Download the file to your hard drive and scan it using your antivirus program before you run or decompress it.
- If someone sends you a ‘joke’ file or electronic greeting card that you must launch to view, be very wary.
Visit scambusters.com for more information about internet safety.