Re: Problems With Questionable E-Mail

Hi Caryl:

Rusty coder here who read this:

 > I hope I am not deleting any messages that come from the hwg-basics list
 > (that mail comes in through my web page address too).  Has anyone found a
 > way to protect against this potentially harmful mail?  Any ideas on how to
 > better handle these messages from unknown people would be much appreciated.

Basic safe practices:

*NEVER* open email with *any* attachments from people you don't know.Delete
immediately. Many times it's just spam - sometimes something far more
destructive.

If someone you do know sends you an email with an attachment *you are not
expecting*, query the sender. Some don't know that a virus is at work on
their computers - lately Klez has been making the rounds.

DO NOT use the preview function in Outlook or any other mailer - simply
opening an email can also cannonball a worm into your system.

DO NOT open any attachments with the .exe extension - this is an application
and should not arrive in your mailbox.

DO INSTALL anti-virus software such as Norton. Update your virus definitions
once a week at minimum.

If you've received something as an attachment, and you feel it's safe, do not
open it immediately. Save it to a disk and then scan the disk with your
Norton anti-virus.
This is not a guarantee but good practice for any files you receive.

Just a couple of thoughts from someone who's been hit and has seen others do
very foolish and regrettable things... :-)

- Jeff K.

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