Protect Your Computer
Prevention Tips
- By understanding and implementing a few simple tips, you can greatly reduce your exposure to viruses or other malicious threats.
- Only open email or instant messaging (IM) attachments from trusted sources
- Never click on a link within email text unless you are absolutely certain you recognize the URL
- Delete all messages that appear to be spam before opening them
- Install email filters so spam never enters your inbox
- Never respond to request to "verify your account information". Call the company and verify the request.
- Reject instant messages from anyone not on your buddy list
- Disable preview mode in your email program so that you can delete messages without opening them
- Be cautious about responding to any windows that pop up. For suspicious error dialogs, it can be helpful to research by opening a new browser window and use a cut/paste to google a snippet of the error dialog text.
- Install security software that will scan all incoming files before copying them to your disk drives
- Stay current on all Microsoft critical updates (install auto-update option so this happens automatically)
- Avoid "free lunch" deals and surveys. It's probably the #1 source of spam.
- Don't respond to email spam "opt-out" options. It's just an opportunity for them to identify you as a legitimate email address and send you lots more spam!
- Consider using an alternate email address for placing internet orders. This will help keep your main email address clean from spam.
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