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VIRUS / TROJAN
INFO & PRECAUTIONS
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Other Links found within this page:
- LINKS TO VIRUS DESCRIPTIONS / DICTIONARIES
Email viruses, worms, and Trojan horses
There are thousands of them in the wild, and while some of them
are LOW-RISK (ie. annoying ones that don't do physical damage), there are an equal amount of HIGH-RISK viruses that
can wipe out your data and trash your computer in the blink of an eye.
Since the individuals and groups showing the world the dark side of their programming talent won't
be going away any time soon,
the best protection for your computer is to keep your anti-virus
software database up to date, and of course to practice safe surf.
Email Virus Safety Precautions
Note to Users of Microsoft Outlook and older email programs:
You need to be EXTRA careful with file attachments
since those programs may attempt to run an attached file without
first asking permission to do so. If your software version allows it,
turn OFF any features enabling attachments to automatically run.
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If you receive an executable email attachment:
DO NOT send, click, open, save, or run the file.
Q. What is an "executable file"?
A. Anything ending with extensions such as
.EXE
.COM
.BAT
.VBS
.PIF
.SCR
.LNK
Please Note: just because you receive a file with one of the
above file extentions doesn't automatically mean that somebody sent you
a virus. These types of files listed above are merely popular carriers of
viruses (for example, a virus can be embedded into a
software/shareware file that appears to be legitimate) or can be the
viruses themselves.
Even if the file attachment is from a trusted source -- that persons
machine may have been infected and that person could have unknowingly sent
the attachment. Unless you are 110% sure what the file is and you are running virus protection software, don't run it.
If you were expecting the file attachment, always scan the file FIRST
before attempting to open it.
Make sure your Anti-Virus software is up to date. Depending on
the anti-virus software company, there may be monthly, weekly, or even daily
virus updates that you should download from the vendors website.
Make sure the important data on your computer is BACKED UP.
Whatever your method may be (tape backups, CD-ROM burning, zip drive, floppy, etc.),
the time spent in keeping your data backups up-to-date is well worth it
should a virus disaster happen (or if your harddrive should fail on its own
or if you accidentally delete or corrupt an important data file).
See below for one example of how easily viruses can slip into email and get
opened. It is an example of a worm that wiggled its way across the globe
overnight. Thankfully, although still costly to businesses, it was not one
of the more malicious programs in the wild.
SirCam Virus
AKA: (W32.Sircam.Worm@mm, W32/SirCam@mm, W32.Sircam.Worm@mm)
TYPE: Worm
ARRIVES: via e-mail, in a format similar to:
Subject: (subject field is RANDOM, same as attachment name)
Hi! How are you?
I sent you this file in order to have your advice
See you later. Thanks
[ File Attachment ]
do NOT open the attachment, it is infected! If you do open it
by mistake, you will infect your system with the SirCam virus. This
virus has its own SMTP routine, enabling it to randomly send files from your
harddrive to email addresses found on your computer -- without your knowledge.
If you have *not* opened the attachment... great - delete the file from your computer immediately
if your anti-virus software didn't already zap it.
If you *did* open the attachment, you must clean the virus from
your system immediately to minimize damage. Close your e-mail program, and
visit your anti-virus software vendors site for cleaning instructions.
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In summary, a little common sense and some time spent backing up your important data
will save you from a potential complete loss. Nobody is completely immune to
viruses, but you can minimize the risk.
We'll leave you on this thought....
If a co-worker or close friend appears to send you an email with a file attachment called "funny.exe", "important.pif" or
"MakeMoreMoney.vbs", what would YOU do?.....
Links to popular virus identification/description databases:
Need or want new anti-virus protection for your personal PC?
Visit our Recommended Tools section
We hope this information was useful to you. If you are a client
of ours and have any questions about viruses/trojans,
or are not sure about the status of an attachment you received, contact
us by phone and we'll be happy to assist you.
Important: If you already accidentally opened a suspicious file attachment that you weren't expecting,
it is important that you get your machine checked out immediately, especially if you do not
update your anti-virus software regularly.
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