Copyright January 2002 by Roxana Muise

Along with the freedom that we enjoy using the internet for rapid communication with others, comes responsibility to those others and to ourselves to make sure that our commun-ications are clean and free from infectious, destructive email hitch-hikers. I’m talking about not only viruses, but also hoaxes and other email scams. They are instruments of control and terrorism; they can destroy our work, our resources, and eat up our most valuable commodity, time.

Dr. Solomon’s Virex - Anti-virus protection for the Macintosh.

McAfee VirusScan by Network Associates - McAfee VirusScan’s interface is by far the simplest. Advanced features are scattered throughout the program and require some patient digging. VirusScan is the slowest of the four but does have the best overall zoo virus detection. McAfee offers a full-featured 30-day evaluation deal with download from their web site. Subscription services are available. VirusScan is also included in a larger McAfee package, "Internet Security", which also contains a firewall. Also available for Macintosh

Norton AntiVirus by Symantec - Norton AntiVirus’ powerful utilities are well-concealed in constant background operation and belied by a simple, easy to navigate interface. Norton, like McAfee, is available as a full-featured 30-day evaluation Subscription services are available. Documentation, both on-screen and off, is thorough and very simple to grasp. Norton AV is the most popular, as it is included in most software packages that come with new computers. Also available for Macintosh

Command Antivirus by Command Software

eTrust Antivirus by Computer Associates International

AVG AntiVirus by Grisoft

ThunderByte Anti-Virus by Norman Data Defense Systems

For current reviews on new anti-virus software:

http://computersource.com

A firewall can save your computer or your computer network from intrusion. Some say it’s the best money ever spent for protection on the Internet, especially those who are connected by DSL or cable modems. Firewall security companies are listed here. Some Virus control software is packaged with firewall protection – see Virus control software listing.

BlackIce firewall/internet security by Internet Security Systems

Checkpoint Next Generation Firewall software. VPN-1 product family for PC and Macintosh

ZoneAlarm Pro Personal Firewall

Firewall information site with many links

Microsoft Product Security Notification Service is a free service that sends subscribers information on the latest Microsoft software problems, how to solve them, and allow you to download the free protection patches.

The ultimate website for comprehensive information about computer viruses. Plus a free Anti Virus Newsletter that keeps you informed about the latest virus, and warns you against hoaxes.

The following sub-sites are information specific:

Sign up for a Free Prevention Center subscription – latest info on worms, viruses, hoaxes and scams.

Hoax Information Center -

Virus Encyclopedia -

News Center -

Computer viruses can also be transmitted through using Hot links to surf from one web site to another. To avoid virus transmissions through Hotlinks, contact your Web Browser or Internet Service Provider for their HOTLINK FIXES. And be sure to activate your virus control program before you surf the web.

Emails promising good fortune after you forward the letter to your friends. Once you open the file, the worm digs into the user's Microsoft's Outlook address book and sends infected documents to the first 50 addresses. Other chain e-letters threaten you if you don’t pass it on. If you do pass it on, it may lay dormant in your computer awaiting a date or a series of keystrokes to awaken it. Be especially wary of unbidden emails in foreign languages, even if you know and trust the source.

Archive of Urban Legends & Netlore - How many of you have received disturbing or "too good to be true" or expose emails, and not known whether to believe them or not - or if you should waste your valuable time and energy processing them? Issues such as: Microsoft/AOL Merger; Petition for Afghan Women's Rights; Free Computers from IBM!; Spiders in the Toilet!; ATM Envelope Poisonings; Class Project Chain Letters; Disney's Email Tracking Giveaway; Bill Gates has $1,000 (and a virus) just for you!; U.S. Postal Tax on Email? This is a website that answers those questions. 50 billion people have visited this site. An urban legend appears mysteriously and spreads spontaneously in varying forms. They are good stories, and are not necessarily true. They warn, entertain, and shock us, which gives power to the original author. Visit the site to be informed, entertained, and reassured.

Viruses in the mail? A great website that dispels or confirms eRumors, Viruses, Terrorist Activity, Internet Hoaxes and more… With plenty of links to news services for finding the source.

IBM has been working on defenses against fast spreading viruses. This site contains links to scientific papers on Immune System technology, epidemiology, and articles and interviews with cutting edge researchers.

SARC (Symantec Antivirus Research Center) This site has an On-Line Encyclopedia that lists the names of viruses and hoaxes.

F-Secure Security Information Center site gives the lowdown on the latest infectious software.

The Internet Insider Radio Show, a nationally syndicated weekend hour program that answers many questions about computers, viruses, tricks and techniques to help speed up your computing time. This particular web page lists the latest internet viruses, and offers free subscriptions to their Insider Tip Letter delivered weekly to your computer. It’s really helpful.

A Virus Encyclopedia. The ultimate website for information about computer viruses, including PC and Macintosh viruses, hoaxes and urban legends, and virus software reviews. There is also a place on this site to ask questions about computer security and viruses.

Marshall Brain’s "HowStuffWorks", a great sub-site that gives you basic information about how Viruses actually work.

"Stay away from malls", "Sign this petition", "Beware blue envelopes", "Chain of Fools", and other Email Terrors. Why do chain letters and hoaxes gain far more attention than legitimate virus warnings?

Urban Legends guru, David Emery, debunks the latest frightening chain letter making its debut on the Internet. This one has all the markings of making it into the chain letter hall of fame.

When you get an email as one of a long list of email names, warning about a virus that "nobody has a way to control", avoid panic. Avoid being the victim of a virus hoax, always go to the source. Check your anti-virus program’s web site where they list all the latest viruses gefore you get into panic mode. Or hop aboard your favorite search engine and look for information about the virus in question, for instance: "Scherzo", the "Christmas.exe" greeting card, "Badtrans.b", and "Sircam" worm.

Besides protecting your computer from viruses, the issue of privacy is of utmost importance. There are many safeguards that you can use to protect your computer from unscrupulous people. Anytime you do business on line, any time you sign up for a "free" newsletter, anytime you post an email to a user group, be sure that you know the company’s privacy policy. For example, IF YOU ARE SPAMMED, DO NOT REPLY, as that is the way for the spammer to find out if your email is active, so they can sell your address to others.

HTML email may look pretty, but it can hide JavaScript that can compromise your privacy. Tell your associates not to send you HTML email. Another way to gain access to information from your computer is the web browser cookie. These chunks of data left on your computer by a web site for your "convenience" so you can log onto a preferred site, can be used for disreputable purposes. If you must accept cookies, accept only those that get sent back to the originating server. If you do a lot of net surfing, you can remove cookies before you turn off your computer. Don’t assume that your server or a browser will protect your privacy. Caveat emptor. Internet safety is your responsibility, just as much as is making a backup of your files.

Safety is the byword - NEVER open an attachment until you have subjected it to a virus checker. This is especially true of an attachment from an unknown source. Be sure to regularly update your Anti-Virus software company's .DAT files (current virus antidote lists).

Some servers, such as Hotmail, have built in virus checkers, and will alert you about a virus before you download.

You can read your email on the web site of your server. Some ISPs have this facility. You can inspect your email before you download it to your computer, and delete any questionable emails or advertisements. You can answer email in this way, and because there is no automatic "out box", you can send a cc to yourself. When you have finished your inspection, you can download only the messages you want on your computer.

Purchase a small computer JUST for Internet use. Make sure that you install a virus checker program, and keep it up to date. Using this method keeps any virus that might sneak in from corrupting your valuable work files and programs. Be sure to scan any files before you transfer them to your work computer.

Check All incoming diskettes with your virus control program, even if it is a sealed commercial product. A file from a friend might have a hidden hostile file without your friend knowing about it.

NEVER leave a floppy disk in its drive when you boot up your computer. If it’s a bootable floppy, it could contain a boot sector virus, which could make your computer crash. In order to recover, you then must boot up with an emergency virus scan boot up disk. Your virus control program directs you to create one when you install it. Be prepared by creating one, and hope you never have to use it!

Always back up files on a clean, virus-free diskette before you end your computing session. Create a ritual around your daily back-up, so you won’t forget.

Along with our need to communicate, comes the responsibility to use our common sense. The internet and the telephone system give us the tools to express our opinions, and a vehicle to choose to dissent. No matter how disagreeable a call or e-mail, we can always choose to "delete" or hang up.

Spam: Junk e-mail. Each week, we receive lots of advertisements in our physical mail-boxes, for which direct mail companies spend millions in marketing, paper, printing, and low bulk postal rates. Many business enterprises are switching over to mass E-mailings, which are only a small fraction of the cost. The result is that our virtual mail boxes are loaded with e-messages promoting products, e-magazine subscriptions, free give-a-ways, business opportunities, credit restoration, medical miracles, and chain letters. As the list grows, our computer resources are filled, and our time is taken up with deciding what to read and what to delete. How do we cope with all this unsolicited garbage?

To filter out junk e-mail On AOL, click on the keyword: mail controls.

Please share your experiences, and any tricks or hints you have. Others can benefit from your successes and your misfortunes, and we will print those that are helpful.

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