Your Rules

Rules To Live By

There are tons of anti-virus software and downloads out there, but even they can't guarantee anything. The only way for you to be sure you don't get a virus is to follow some good prevention rules. As with anything, these rules only work if you follow them on a regular basis. Since, as a society, we tend to be pretty lacks about prevention, you should take into consideration how important your files are to you.

Practical Steps For Prevention

Backup all files regularly.

If your anti-virus software finds a virus but cannot disinfect it, you should find out how.

Always remove floppy disks from hard drive when they are not in use.

Don't use floppy disks that have been used many times, and passed from computer to computer.

Use a reputable anti-virus program.

Update your anti-virus program regularly.

Don't lend your floppy disks to others.

Don't download common files from unknown sources.

Write protect your floppy disks.

Scan for viruses before using floppy disks from others.

NEVER open an email attachment unless you are SURE it doesn't contain a virus.

Check all new software for viruses, even ones that were wrapped by the publisher.

Don't pass on virus hoax warnings in a workplace, these should be reported to your computer support personnel.

Open Microsoft Office documents with a viewer program rather then directly into the Microsoft application.

Keep two backups for all your important files

NEVER accept "games" or "updates" from strangers over email, ICQ, BBS, or any other transfer medium.

Check everything for a virus before using it.

Note strange occurrences in your PC's behavior ( odd messages, mouse directions switching, etc.).

Never use undocumented commands such as fdisk \mbr to fix virus contamination

Useful Info

You cannot get a virus from simply "being on" the internet. No one can "give" you a virus over the internet without some user assistance at some level.

Cannot be infected from CMOS memory.

Be aware that viruses are found in pirated software regularly.

Viruses do not infect compressed files although compressed files can carry a virus that it was infected with before it was compressed.

You can’t get a virus by downloading, you need to execute the download to get the virus.

Files sent such as pictures and MP3 music CANNOT contain viruses.

Viruses do not infect computer hardware.

Many viruses are poorly written and so will not even spread in the real world

Can get viruses from certain data files in Microsoft Office because they contain macros, which are programs that are executable.

Cookies (data files some web sites store on your disk) cannot have viruses.

Can get viruses from EXE and COM files.

Viruses cannot infect files on write protected disks, but infected disks that are then write protected can infect other files.

Viruses do not identify themselves.