Here are the most common
ways you might pick up a virus
(And some common practices to avoid them)
1 - Infected email attachment
Opening an infected attachment is still the front
runner for catching a virus. Although email sent to
Netstar servers are checked by two level Anti-Virus
systems, remember that a successful virus author is
always ahead of the anti-virus software. Think carefully before
opening any email with an exciting title and a
fun-sounding attachment.
2 - HTML email scripts
You don’t have to open an attachment for an email to
be harmful. HTML-formatted email can contain
harmful scripts that may be opened by
Outlook Express.
Receiving messages in plain text helps to protect
your PC, but disables some functions. To make the
change, select Tools -> Options. Move to the Read
tab of the Options dialog and Put a tick in the box
marked ‘Read all messages in plain text’.
3 - Infected files
If there’s an infected file on your system, the
chances are that it will infect your whole PC. This
is also true for files on network drives or
removable media. So you can be re-infected by a
virus that you think you have already removed if its
parent files still exist on your PC. Disinfect all
the resources that you use should you contract a
virus to prevent re-infection.
4 - Unsafe downloads
Downloading a file from an unsafe source is still a
top way to catch a virus. If in doubt, don’t
download it. Make a point of scanning new downloads
with an anti-virus even if you’re confident of their
origin.
5 - Drive-by downloads
A drive-by download is one that occurs without your
consent and often without your knowledge. It can be
triggered by visiting the host Web site or by
viewing an HTML-formatted email. The first you may
know of it is when your PC behaves oddly or your Net
connection becomes much less effective. Install SP2
or by hike up the security settings in your browser
to prevent ActiveX components from launching.
From your Internet
Explorer go to:
Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom level.
In here you can adjust your security level to your
liking.
6
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Backdoors and Windows exploits
A backdoor may be installed on your system by
another virus. It may also have been planted in an
application. It provides a way to access your
system, usually remotely, while avoiding normal
authentication procedures. Once one virus has opened
a backdoor or taken advantage of a Windows
vulnerability, it enables your PC to be infected by
a range of other viruses.
The best practice to be sure that you are safe,
is to have a good Firewall and Anti-Virus pair of
software.
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