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Why are safe email practices important?
1. To minimize the chance of your pc getting a virus.
Emails are one of the most popular modes of virus distribution these days, so to keep your computer healthy, and help prevent spreading viruses, you need to practice a few safety rules.
2. To minimize the chance of you sending a virus to someone else.
If your computer is infected, you can infect someone else. This is a case where good citizenship is important.
3. To minimize spam in your inbox.
Safety Rules
* Attachments
Attachments require special attention. They could contain viruses - even if it's coming from the computer of a friend. Therefore:
1. Even if you do not recognize the sender of the message, it is relatively safe to open the message. However, if this unknown sender has included an attachment with their message, be very suspicious of it, especially if the text of the message is in any way peculiar (poor grammar or spelling, odd subject matter), you should delete it immediately.
2. Be suspicious of messages you receive from people you know if the text of the message does not match their usual writing style or subject matter, especially if the message contains an attachment. Viruses often "spoof" the from address (masquerade as someone else - usually getting the name from an infected computer's address book - the infected computer could be a friend's which is why all email - even from friends should be held
suspect.) Viruses also often try to come up with a compelling subject line to get you to open them.
3. If you receive a message from an individual you do recognize but, the e-mail contains an unexpected attachment, contact the sender via e-mail or phone to verify that the attachment is authentic before opening it.
If you have any other questions concerning HCCAs anti-virus software or viruses in general, please contact
security@hccanet.org.
* Preview
The preview feature of Email programs like Outlook Express can allow you to unwittingly infect your computer from an infected email. Therefore:
Turn off the preview Pane in Outlook express
Go to Menu > View > Layout... in Outlook Express and uncheck the box for "Show preview pane".
* Minimize Spam in your inbox
Spammers have a number of methods of getting your email address (how do they do this?), but don't make it easy for them. Just as an unlocked car is easier stolen than a locked one, an unprotected email address is easier to harvest than a protected one. To protect your email address:
1. Don't post your email address on the Web or Usenet groups
2. Consider using disposable (throw away) forwarding email addresses when possible (i.e. whenver you have to give it out to anyone or any company you suspect might sell your address or spam you)
* Use Antivirus software, and keep it updated.
This will help protect your machine, and the machines of others on the internet if a virus should happen to get through to your machine.
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