Internet and Virus Hoaxes

One of the most annoying things you’ll have to deal with now that you are using your e-mail and reading newsgroups and participating in web discussions and message boards is a proliferation of virus hoaxes and internet “urban legends” that are circulated through bulk e-mailings and message boards.

Unfortunately, there are some viruses that can invade your computer through the Internet, but almost all of these require that you actually “download” a file to your computer and then “execute” that file. You’d have to know that you were doing that.

A few helpful hints to help you avoid viruses and unnecessary fear:

1. Never click on a hyperlink in an email from someone you don’t know.
2. Never download a file from someone you don’t know. If in doubt, get a Virus scan program that can scan files before you execute them.
3. Don’t allow chat room acquaintances to send you files to download to your computer. This, according to AOL, is one way hackers can get control of you system. Nothing will actually happen until you get into a chat room with them again, when they can send messages to your computer.
4. Beware anything that promises something for free. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Never give your screen name and password to anyone. AOL will never ask for you for it. There are some scammers directing unsuspecting users who click on those hyperlinks from naughty unknowns to sites that look similar to AOL pages then asking for passwords. AOL will never do this.
6. Go to Keyword: Virus for the details on virus protection, top ten hoaxes, and links to some of the top “urban legend” buster sites on the net.
7. Don’t forward messages in bulk that seem to be promoting a hoax or that are from someone you don’t know.

If in doubt, check it out! Be a good sister and help stop hoaxes and spam.
 

Diane
 
 

 

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