Sending and reading e-mail over the Internet is one of today's most popular activities. The widespread use of this technology makes it a primary way for computer viruses to spread. You can help protect your computer against viruses that spread by e-mail, and when you do so, you also help protect people who receive e-mail from you.
Specific actions you can take:
Help protect your computer with safer e-mail practices
Use virus scanning software and keep it up to date with regular updates from the provider. Updates are very important because new viruses are created regularly.
Don't open attachments from senders you don't know. Even if you know and trust the source of the e-mail you should still be cautious. Carefully read the e-mail's subject line. Does the message on the subject line make sense coming from the sender? Does the subject line refer to something this person would want to send you a message about? If the subject line is just gibberish or does not make sense, you should not open the attachment.
Read your messages in plain text. Much of the e-mail you receive is created using a simple computer language called HTML. HTML makes it possible to use pictures, fancy backgrounds, icons, and different kinds of text in e-mail. But HTML can also allow hackers to hide viruses in e-mail. When you read your e-mail in plain text, you prevent the viruses from being transmitted to your computer.
Use your e-mail program’s security features. See your e-mail program's Help topics for information about the options available to you. Many programs now include options for filtering images, handling attachments, and blocking unwanted messages. Features like these work together to help protect your computer and anyone you correspond with.
Be very cautious about opening links that you receive in e-mail. You never really know what a link is connected to. Internet Explorer 6 contains features that will help protect you in this situation.
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