EMail Do's and Don'ts

Practically everyone uses email to communicate with one another. Most people/companies also use email to send attachments such as pictures, jokes, spreadsheets, documents and many other files. With the ever growing threat of email viruses, you may want to rethink how you use your email.

Here are some email DO’s and DON’Ts:

DO:

• Use a good Anti-Virus program such as ZoneAlarm, Norton, or McAfee.
• Update you virus definitions regularly.
• Set your Anti-Virus program to automatically scan incoming AND outgoing emails.
• Encrypt and compress email attachments with sensitive information before sending to others. Use encryption/compression software such as WinZip and PGP.
  

DON'T:

• Open any emails or attachments from strangers.
• Open any “unexpected” email attachments...even from people you DO know. Most email viruses are sent from people you know (usually unintentionally).
• Send email attachments unless you absolutely have to. FTP is a much more secure and viable solution for sending files over the internet.

While email is an easy and effective way to communicate, it is not the most secure method of transmitting data. If you have any questions on how you can improve the security of your data transmissions, please contact me at www.toddkile.com and we can discuss your options. Establishing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a secure FTP account are just a few of the alternatives to sending files via email....TK.

The Conduit for Computer Viruses

The widespread growth of the Internet over the past decade has caused the threat of computer viruses to increase dramatically. The Internet has become a virtual playground for computer programmers to test their skills and unleash their wrath on unsuspecting victims. These computer programmers are often referred to as “hackers,” and the programs they create to infect computer systems are called “viruses.”

Practically everyone who uses the Internet, or watches the news, is familiar with computer viruses and the damage they can cause. While the effects of computer viruses are well-known, their methods of transmission are not. Identifying the transmission methods of computer viruses is imperative in order to implement adequate security measures to protect other computers from being infected. The primary methods of transmitting computer viruses are emails, web sites, and file sharing.

Emails are the most common method of transmission and usually contain viruses disguised as “friendly” attachments. Malicious web sites can contain hidden code that can automatically infect a PC just by visiting the web site. File sharing on the Internet is very dangerous. Viruses can be renamed to look like an “mp3” music file or a popular software program that will then infect the recipient’s PC as soon as it is opened.

Understanding the primary methods hackers use to transmit computer viruses can help individuals and companies better protect their computers and data. There are many software and hardware solutions available to help combat viruses. It is important for individuals and companies to research the best solutions for their specific computer configurations. Installing anti-virus software, eliminating Internet file sharing, and installing firewalls are just a few of the available security options computer users need to consider to protect their computers from the dangers of computer viruses......TK