Why do people send me all these virus warnings?

Keep getting virus warnings from your friends?  Here's how to find out what's real and what isn't: 

1. Most virus warnings you get from your friends are hoaxes.  A hoax could be called a "send your friends lots of garbage" virus.  They are emails warning of viruses that don't exist.  The "virus" is actually the use of people and their email to forward their contacts useless emails.  To save yourself a little embarrassment:

   • Check out the warning.  Symantec (the makers of Norton AntiVirus) have a website dedicated to virus definitions.  Go to http://www.sarc.com and see if the warning you got in your email is there.  If it isn't located on the first page, try looking at the Expanded Threat List and seeing if it is listed there.

   • If the virus warning is a hoax, delete the email.  You may want to email the person who sent you the warning and let them know about the hoax and Symantec's website.

   • If the virus warning is real, feel free to forward the email on.  You may want to check and see if there is a free fix available from Symantec.

2. If you get an email that has an attachment, don't open the attachment right away.  MOST viruses come in the form of attachments.  

   • If you use Outlook or Outlook Express, don't set your email up to open attachments when you open the email.  This will set the virus in motion before you even know that the attachment contained a virus.  

   • If you have an AntiVirus program loaded on your PC, make sure to set it up to scan your email and any attachments. 

3. If you get an email from someone you don't know, don't open it.  While MOST viruses are spread through the contact list stored on your PC, newer viruses are sent from people you may never have heard of.

   • The SirCam Virus was created on July 17, 2001 and contains its own email program.  An infected PC will start sending out emails to addresses in your contact list and others that may be stored in the virus.  (Information about this virus and the fix can be found HERE.)

   • Some viruses like the KAK Worm don't even use attachments to store the virus.  Simply opening up the email will begin spreading the virus.  This includes using the Preview Pane in Outlook.  Go to View and Layout in your Outlook in order to turn this feature off.

4. If you work for a company and get an email from your IT/IS person, pay attention.  Large companies always research virus warnings before forwarding the information onto its employees 

The best way to protect yourself is to install an AntiVirus program on your PC.  Even after installing the virus program, you must remember to update the virus signatures.  

If you believe that you have a virus or hardware problem and need our help, bring your CPU to M & M Programming, Inc., 110 North Spalding Avenue, Lebanon, KY.  

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