Digital Hygiene
"Garbage In, Garbage Out" (Anon)
The only way to get a virus infection is by running, or copying, infected software on a computer. Viruses cannot spontaneously generate.
- Infection Via the Internet
- Obtain Software From Reputable Sources
- Scan, Scan, and Scan Some More
- Keep Your Anti-Virus Software Updated
- Beware of Automatic Downloads
- Watch Out for Email Attachments
- A word about virus hoaxes
Infection Via the Internet
Virus infection via files downloaded from the Internet is probably the fastest growing area of infection, paralleling the fast growth of Internet use itself. More and more companies are making software available over the Net and, for the most part, getting a new driver or a software patch from reputable companies is safe - providing you are sure that you are getting the file from an official source. However, the Net is also filled with "unofficial" software, pirated programs, and low-budget software from questionable sources, that may be intentionally, or unintentionally, infected with viruses.
Here, as in other places, you need to let common sense be your guide. Taking sensible, precautions will help.
Obtain Software From Reputable Sources
Downloading add-on software, for Windows, from Microsoft's web site is one thing. Downloading a freeware program, that you've never heard of before, from "Mack's Hacks and Cracks", or some web site you read about on a newsgroup, is another thing entirely. There are many reputable web sites that distribute excellent quality shareware and freeware software. Some of them are listed in the Resources section of this Guide. Almost all of the software on these sites is virus-free, but you still need to be diligent about any files that you download. There are also sources of pirated software on the Internet - if you know where to look for them. Using these "services", aside from the legal issues, is also dangerous to your computer's health. These illicit sources of programs have a much higher incidence of viruses than legally-obtained software.
Scan, Scan, and Scan Some More
Never run a downloaded, executable, file without first scanning with an anti-virus program. I've listed some of the better known ones in the Resources section. If you aren't sure which files are executables (programs), scan everything! It won't take much longer and it is the only way to remain relatively safe from virus infection.
Keep Your Anti-Virus Software Updated
New viruses are appearing all the time and anti-viral software is only as good as the information it has to work with. It's unreasonable to expect your anti-virus software to keep you safe from the latest viral attacks if you haven't updated it for twelve months. Most anti-viral software can be updated via the program's web site and it is worth visiting this site every month to check for new updates if you intend to download any software from the Internet.
Beware of Automatic Downloads
Be careful when using programs that download and run update patches or programs automatically. Whilst in most cases, these will not be a problem, having downloaded software run automatically without virus checking represents a possible infection hazard. If this should happen to you, run an immediate anti-viral scan on your system. This is rather like closing the stable doors after the horse has bolted but you will, at least, be alerted if there has been an infection.
Watch Out for Email Attachments
It is becoming fairly common for people to attach programs and documents (such as Word documents) to emails. Never run or view these attachments without scanning them first. Whilst Word (and similar) documents are not programs, they can contain information in the form of macros or scripts which, in turn, can harbour viruses. Some of the most recent, major, viral problems have arisen from sources such as these.
A word about virus hoaxes
It is highly likely that, at some point, you will be sent an email, or read a newsgroup article, warning you about a new "virus". Before you do anything, please read the Seven Rules below.
Rule 1: 99.99% of emailed virus alerts are fake - tell tale signs include lines such as "Send this warning to everyone you know" or similar.
Rule 2: They are malicious in that they are deliberate hoaxes which are intended to spread panic.
Rule 3: Most of virus hoaxes have been doing the rounds for years. It is highly likely that your particular "email warning" has been documented. Check the details out at the Hoaxbusters site.
Rule 4: Virus hoaxes, however, do cause problems. Like their real counterparts, they replicate (most people send on such warnings to everyone they know - so that one warning email spawns a whole bundle more) and, as such, consume time and energy - plus they scare people unnecessarily.
Rule 5: If you do feel the need to forward an email, cut out any existing email addresses within the text - otherwise you could be inadvertently sending on dozens of email addresses which, if they got into the wrong hands, could be used to "spam" everyone you know. ("Spam" = bulk, unsolicted, commercial email. The electronic equivalent of junk mail. )
Rule 6: Some virus hoaxes even suggest that perfectly legitimate files are viruses. An example is the emailed "virus alert" which suggests that a file called jdbgmgr.exe is a virus. When you check your system - lo and behold, you find jdbgmgr.exe and, yes, it has a teddy bear icon. That's because it is a genuine Windows system utility (Microsoft's Debugger Registrar for Java, actually) that is found on many standard Windows machines. Fortunately, deleting this file is unlikely to cause you any problems (unless you are a Java programmer) but you'll probably blame every computer "hiccup" for months on this so-called virus infection. Plus you will have been frightened unnecessarily
Rule 7: What should you do? Quick answer is to bin the "alert". Real virus warnings simply aren't emailed in this fashion. If you feel unhappy about simply discarding it, investigate the warning at one of the sites listed in the Resource Section before forwarding it to others.
Real viruses do exist and, these days, many of them are transmitted (one way or another) via email. If you follow the advice on this page, you can reduce your chances of being infected significantly.