WebJunction - Virus Protection

Virus Information Web Links

http://vil.mcafee.com	McAfee.com Virus Information Library
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/	Computer Internet Advisory Center (CIAC) Hoax information pages
http://www.snopes.com/	Urban Legends Reference Pages
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blbyolix.htm	Archive of Urban Legends & Netlore
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/	Symantec Security Updates (Symantec sells Norton Anti-virus)

The following tips can help you keep your computers virus free:

Scan any files that you download from the Internet with an Anti-virus program before opening.
Keep your anti-virus software up to date. Some viruses will travel through a network to find a computer to infect.
Be wary of e-mail attachments that you were not expecting. Do not open an attachment unless you know what the attachment is.
Always check to see if a virus warning is valid before forwarding it on to others. You can unnecessarily alarm others by sending a false virus warning to them.

Can You Spot a Hoax?

You can spot virus hoaxes by some common text shared by many warnings:

This virus will wipe out your entire hard drive!!!
Forward this message to everyone you know.
If you read the e-mail it will destroy your computer.

A lot of e-mail virus warnings are acually hoaxes and can be thought of as pesky, but harmless viruses themselves. These hoaxes are sent to you by well meaning but uninformed people. Before you continue the “virus” you should check to make sure it is a truthful message you are forwarding. Any of the hoax information Web links can provide the information for you to decide if what you are reading is truth or fiction.