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Learn how to protect yourself from viruses!
Malicious viruses like Melissa, Explore.zip, and LoveLetter have proven that viruses can spread very quickly, causing incredible amounts of damage. In short, prevention from infection is absolutely essential.
In this section we help you:
Protect Yourself
Protecting your computer from viruses is a combination of common sense and security technology. Without installing major security and protection tools, (see the ICQ terms of service) there's a limit to the number of precautions you can put in place. However, by observing these basic guidelines, you can reduce security risks on ICQ and other systems:
- Scan all the files you receive with anti-virus, malicious code prevention, detection & repair programs. We recommend McAfee for keeping out viruses.
- Protect your ICQ password. Never tell anyone your password. Be cautious of someone claiming to be associated with ICQ who asks for your password. The ICQ staff will NEVER ask for your password. Your password should include a combination of letters and numbers.
- Check before opening file attachments:
- Never accept files (via email attachments, file transfer etc.) from people you don't know. If you are in doubt ask the sender to verify that they are who they say they are.
- Look at the message of an email before opening an attachment. If it's suspicious or simply out of character with the sender write back to the sender and ask for clarification.
- Be wary of .exe files. If you aren't certain that an .exe file is 'clean' delete it. Watch out for disguised .exe files e.g. "Mypic.jpg.exe". Unless you check, the final "exe" extension may only appear after you save the file onto your hard drive.
- If a Word attachment contains Macros - always choose to Disable Macros.
- Never put a diskette or CD into your computer that you did not create or that did not come from a trusted source (eg. product manufacturer).
Understand Viruses
A virus is generally defined as a program that infects documents or systems by inserting or attaching a copy of itself or by rewriting files entirely. Viruses operate without a user's knowledge or consent. When an infected file is opened, the embedded virus is executed. In order to propagate a virus must be carried by infected e-mail attachments, diskettes, or shared files.
While a simple virus may propagate itself but allow the program to run normally, many viruses are malicious by nature. For example, a virus may be programmed to display an offensive screen message, modify certain documents or do irreversible damage by deleting all the files on a machine. Viruses are categorized into Simple, Encrypted, Polymorphic and Macro Viruses, Trojan Horses and Worms. Be prepared - viruses aren't fun!
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