Do not open attachments in e-mail
Do not click links in e-mail
Do not click links in instant messages
WARNING: There is a 3 to 4 day window for new virus activity. Anti-virus companies scramble to get new signature updates out, but usually take 3 to 4 days. During this time, you are vunerable for visures unless you follow the above guidelines.
Keep your windows operating system updated with Microsoft/Windows Updates
Windows XP:
Control panel/System/Automatic updates
Make sure Automatic is selected
Windows Vista
Control Panel/System Maintenance
Under windows update click “Turn automatic updating on or off”
Make sure ‘Install updates automatically (recommended) is selected.
- Get a credit card with a low credit line
- Use only one credit card for only online purchases and make sure it protects you from fraudlent purchases.
- Reconcile your statement each month, make sure you purchased everything on there.
- If you must use a regular credit card, some credit card companies offer one use credit card numbers that link to your account. Temporary numbers usually expire in a short period of time. This makes it hard for credit card number thieves.
POPups stating that you have a virus and you should download and install the latest antivirus software.
If you have an antivirus software installed like the ones mentioned earlier, then the window for that application should warn you and not some browser window popup.If you get popups all the time, you most likely already have some sort of virus on your machine. See your local computer professional.
