Virus Alerts!
Virus activity is growing on the internet, and new viruses
threaten our computer systems on a regular basis. Many of
the viruses are spread via e-mail attachments and Microsoft
Outlook's E-mail Client. That is why it is important to keep
your virus software's definition file updated. For your protection,
we have provided the following links to better safeguard your
computer.
Viruses have been long-time problems for on-line computer
users. The
answers to protecting your computer remain as:
1. Keep your Windows Security Patches updated from Microsoft.
2. Do not open ANY attachments on your e-mail unless you know
positively
that is from someone you know and that their computer hasn't
been corrupted.
3. Have a virus scanning program, such as McAfee or Norton
(Symantec),
installed and automatically updating.
4. Regularly have the virus scanner scan your entire drive
system.
5. Be extremely careful in downloading any files from websites,
they may
be contaminated.
6. Shut down Instant Messaging automatic downloads. There
is a
vulnerability here.
But there are a few new "bugs that can lead you into
trouble.
There have been messages, apparently from Microsoft and including
their
logo, that your Windows program needs to have a security update.
There is a
link on that page to "take you to the download site"
DONT! To update the
patches, use the menu link on your Internet Browser Tool "Windows
Update" item.
Most times if IT seems to be too good to be true, IT usually
isn't true.
The most obvious is a series of messages, usually from a small
nation in
Africa, offering to share millions of dollars to help them
bring funds to
the United States. Number one, this is illegal money laundering,
and number
two, in response to your reply, the perpetrator will have
you set up an
American bank account and place a fairly large sum of money
in it as "good
faith" You will also send them the account number and
PIN code(s). Of
course, as soon as you deposit that money, they will clean
out the account
and disappear!
Another "hoax" is called "pfishing".
Millions of persons have already
reported being attacked by this! The credible message, maybe
complete with
apparent logos from e-bay, banks or credit cards, will advise
you that
there is some kind of problem with your account and want you
to send them
your account number and PIN code to verify their files. DON'T
EVER SEND
SUCH INFORMATION IN REPLY TO E-MAIL!. Do not click on the
link to respond,
as they can determine your e-mail address.
You may also have received a message from the "Mach3ww.com
Team," or
similar signature, stating that your computer has been sending
out viruses
or other operational problems. Computers can be corrupted
to send out
viruses, and River City Internet does monitor line activity,
but we would
not contact you in such a generic manner. Again, Do Not click
on the "more
details" box in the message, but contact us by phone
(641) 424-1511 to
determine if such a problem does exist.
Purchasing via the Internet can be one of the best new ways
of doing
business. Credit card information can be sent, but you do
need to have
faith in the company you do business with and the card information
should
only be sent over "secured connections".
If you have further questions about viruses or your virus
software... Ask Jack!
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