Practicing Safe Email: The Basics Revisited

To many computer users, these security measures may seem self-evident. However, the widespread distribution and damage caused by some viruses show that a great number of end users are not practicing even these basic virus protection techniques. Perhaps those more experienced with computers have a certain responsibility to try to educate "newbie" colleagues and friends about basic email security issues such as those listed below.

1. Install and use anti-virus software. Modern anti-virus software is easy to configure and use even for those new to computing. If buying AV software is a problem there are quite adequate free scanners available. One such free product is AVG.

2. Regularly update your virus scanner. People often get infected with a virus simply because they haven't downloaded the latest definitions. It's not uncommon for the major anti-virus companies to release several updates within a week, so it pays to continually check for updates. If possible, configure your anti-virus software to download updates automatically as well as check manually from time to time. Even the most reliable and sophisticated anti-virus software is virtually useless against new viruses if it doesn't have the most current definitions available.

3. Be very wary of email attachments even if they are from people you know and trust. Some viruses can attach and send themselves to your email address in such a way that you may believe you are receiving an email from a friend or colleague. This is know as spoofing.