TECH: Avoiding Email Worms
By Dean Davis
DEAR DEAN
My email is swarmed by spam with all types of weird files attached. I understand those are worms? How can I avoid them?
LORI A. (New Jersey)
LORI,
email worms are deceitful can be very destructive. Here are some tips you can use to combat these email threats.
1. Most email worms use Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express to spread. If you use Outlook, download the latest security patch from Microsoft.
2. When possible, avoid e-mail attachments both when sending and receiving e-mail.
3. Configure Windows to always show file extensions. This makes it more difficult to for a harmful file (such as an EXE or VBS) to masquerade as a harmless file (such as TXT or JPG). (How?)
4. Never open e-mail attachments with the file extensions VBS, SHS or PIF. These extensions are not common except for viruses and worms.
5. Never open attachments with double file extensions such as NAME.BMP.EXE or NAME.TXT.VBS
6. Do not share your folders with other users unless necessary. If you do, do not share your full drive or your Windows directory.
7. Disconnect your network or modem cable when you're not using your computer - or just power it down.
8. If you get a suspicious e-mail from a friend - in a foreign language or saying odd things- double-check with them before opening attachments.
9. When you receive e-mail advertisements or other unsolicited e-mail, do not open attachments in them or follow web links quoted in them.
10. Avoid attachments with sexual filenames. E-mail worms are often named PORNO.EXE or PAMELA_NUDE.VBS as a lure.
11. Do not trust the icons of attachment file. Worms often send executable files resembling familiar icons (picture, text or archive files).
12. Never accept attachments from strangers in online chat systems such as IRC, ICQ, Yahoo!, Imici, Trillian or AOL Instant Messenger.
13. Avoid downloading files from public newsgroups (Usenet news). These are often used by virus writers to distribute their new viruses.
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