Tips to avoid Spyware, Malware, and Viruses
Nothing is free, their is always a cost.
- Have anti-virus and spyware removal programs installed, updated and running constantly.
- Run Microsoft Windows update, and make sure Microsoft Windows updates are set to download and install automatically.
- Create a backup of crucial data. Minimum of bi-weekly.
- Do not open e-mail messages unless you know the author. NEVER download or execute programs unless you know what it is and who wrote it, this included attachments in e-mails.
- Do not open attachments with file name extensions such as “.com,” “.exe,” “.pif” and “.scr” as well as files with double-extensions like “.jpg.exe”.
- Companies will never ask you to send personal data through email, precisely because it is unsecured. If you receive an email asking for such said content, delete message and contact company in question.
- Do not use your personal e-mail address on web sites or online forums.
- Be extra careful using peer-2-peer programs (bit torrent, kazaa, limewire, edonkey). Nothing is free, spyware is ubiquitous when it comes to free programs.
