News about computer viruses has been broadcast everywhere, from your computer screen to evening news. As hackers become more and more sophisticated, computer users need to know how to protect themselves from the latest virus attacks. Follow these tips to protect your computer from viruses.
Virus prevention tips:
1. Do not open e-mail attachments with strangers. If you do not recognize the e-mail address or subject line, delete the e-mail. Also check the file extension for attachments. Beware of suspicious extensions, such as .pif and .scr.
2. Open attachments only if you know what they are, even if they come from a reliable source. Some viruses attack address books by sending each email address they find. It is best to check with the person who sent the email rather than open it blindly.
3. Be careful when downloading files from the Internet. Make sure the download source is legitimate and reputable. Most sites perform antivirus checks on software before opening for you. For added security, download the file to a floppy disk, then check it with your own anti-virus software before installing it on your hard drive.
4. Update your anti-virus software regularly. Most software has an area where you can download the latest virus updates.
5. Back up important files to a portable storage unit. This could be a CD, a DVD, a zip disk, a floppy disk, or a host of other storage devices. This way, if your computer is affected by a virus, your important files can still be reloaded safely.