Virus Safe Computing

Virus Safe Computing
By: Scott Hendison � Published: March 2001

In August of 1999, I wrote an article called �The Truth About Viruses� that is still on our website for reference. One of the �truths� I mentioned was that unless you open a file attachment from an e-mail, you cannot get a virus. Well about a year ago, I had to update that article to include the fact that yes, there are now viruses that you can get simply by reading the e-mail. This month I want to talk about protecting yourself.

By now, everyone has heard of the �I Love you� virus, the �Melissa� virus, and the latest �Anna Kornoukova� virus. These are all viruses that have plagued thousands if not millions of users all over the world, and all three could have been avoided by simply not opening the file attachment that came with them.

The problem though, is that the way these three viruses or �worms� work, is that they send themselves to everyone in a users address book, making it appear that an associate, friend or relative has sent you the file. Therefore, �Don�t take candy from strangers� doesn�t always apply.

If someone you know sends you a file attachment, and you�re unsure about it, send them an e-mail back inquiring about it BEFORE you open the attachment. Once you hear back that it�s legit, you can feel free to open it. Of course, you could always just delete everything you get sent, but then you might miss out on the next great free program, like �Elf Bowling�!

Let me say loudly that you should definitely have anti-virus (AV) software. Buy it, use it, and keep the virus definitions updated online monthly. Also, remember to turn it back on if you turn it off for any reason, (like to play a game or install new software). I happen to prefer Norton, but there are others that are fine too.

A good rule to follow is to NEVER OPEN any file attachment ending in the .vbs extension. That is a Visual Basic Script, commonly used for spreading viruses and you have no reason to open a .vbs file unless you�re a programmer.

Okay, here are the meat and potatoes of this month�s column so pay attention�

There are other virus threats that cannot just be ignored or deleted though. They attach to a senders normal e-mail automatically and appear invisible on the screen. Simply by opening these e-mails, you can become infected and you can infect others.

There are several different breeds and names for them. One that hit me last week is called KAK. (Microsoft has an Outlook Express security patch to prevent the self-execution of this one available at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/ie/tools/scrpteye.asp)

Most AV software, if updated regularly, will protect you fine. Mine did.

If you don�t have AV software though, you can still get some peace of mind right now if you are using Outlook Express. It may save you a lot of time and money getting a virus cleaned off your computer.

Outlook Express has a feature called the preview pane. It allows you to see all of your messages, while showing you the body of the highlighted message in a separate pane of your window. It�s nice and convenient, and eliminates the need to double click on every message to consciously open it.

�Aha!� you say. You see where I�m going, don�t you? Simply by you highlighting it, even to delete it, the preview pane automatically opens the e-mail, thereby infecting your computer, and everyone in your address book. Worse still, every computer in the world that has Windows 98 and Outlook Express ships from the factory or shop with the �preview pane� turned on. You can fix it yourself though.

From your Outlook Express inbox (where you can see the e-mail messages) choose �View� from the pulldown menu along the top, then choose �layout�. At the bottom is a check box for the �Preview pane�. Uncheck that box, and your preview pane will be gone, as will.

Viruses and worms are a very real hazard of computing. The more you know, the safer you are. There are enough problems built right into Windows and your computer already, without having to deal with these royal pains!

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