Help yourself to protect your computer files and e-mail by using and updating your anti-virus software. This will reduce the risk of a virus or viruses exploiting a vulnerability on your computer.
Viruses can come in different forms like from an e-mail attachment, messaging applications like ICQ, MSN Messenger, etc or just by simply sharing out your files/folders over the network. You could also acquire a virus when downloading files from a website or from a thumb drive someone shares with you. If your computer is not protected, the virus can spread and may do irreversible damage to your computer files or data.
Here are some guidelines to help you protect against viruses:
- Always periodically check the Microsoft Security Web site for patches and security fixes if you are using Windows operating system.
- Sign up for the Microsoft Security Update newsletter to receive auto-notification of security issues and announcements via e-mail
- Perform Windows Update regularly. Make this a habit if possible.
- Install a reputable anti-virus software for your computer like McAfee, Norton, etc.
- Always keep your anti-virus software updated.
- Many viruses rely on weak usernames/passwords to gain administrative rights to a computer. You should create strong passwords - make them longer than eight characters and try to use a combination of numbers and special characters for those administrative accounts on your computer.
- Avoid using names, your birthdays, NRIC, passport numbers, etc. as passwords. A password is a useful security measure only if it's kept secret and hard to crack.
- If there is no need, disable/remove all guest accounts on your computer.
- If you need to share folders/files over the network, create strong passwords for those network shares.
- Do not accept any download files through MSN Messenger, ICQ, Yahoo! Messenger, etc. from untrusted contacts.
- Do not download files from untrusted websites.
- Always scan removable device such as thumb drive for viruses.
- You may wish to subscribe to our Virus Alerts from CITS mailing list to keep yourself updated on the latest viruses incidents on campus too. This way you'll receive periodic notification by e-mail whenever a new virus-related posting or announcement is available.