Educate!

I wish I could wave a magic wand and educate computer users! I really just wish they would use their brains and read about security before they blindly connect to the Internet and click on every link on every page and every link in email.

Admittedly, the news media is a 'bit' slow warning about new schemes to entrap computer users.

I guess I am day dreaming about educating folks who just don't read because they can't be bothered. Some are like an elderly relative of mine who once told me "They couldn't print it if it wasn't true" and believed everything the media printed or said, regardless of the source. These are the folks who buy from sp*mmers, and believe all of the hoax emails they receive. These are the folks that keep the Nigerian scammers in business.

Please, please! Follow these rules!

Never connect your computer to the Internet without a virus scanner! NEVER! (Yes I am shouting, I have to get through to you somehow!)
Make sure the virus definitions are updated!
If you think you must use Internet Explorer, TURN ACTIVEX OFF!
Use spyware scanners, at least three! Everyday!
Use a firewall! One that will tell you if something is trying to 'phone home' (spyware). This means a third party firewall. Windows firewall in Windows XP will NOT do this.

Keep Window updated! Microsoft doesn't send out security updates to aggravate you, they send them out to close security holes that let scumbags get in to your computer.

When reading email, do NOT click on links in email from people you don't know. NEVER! NEVER! I repeat, NEVER!
There are hundreds, maybe thousands of 'Zombie' computers sending out emails hoping you will click one of those links and if you do, your computer will probably be a 'Zombie computer as well.

Delete unopened emails from strangers! Delete emails with attachments from friends, unless you are expecting them.

In case you don't know what a 'Zombie' computer is, it is a computer that has been infected by a worm that enables spammers, virus writers, etc. to take over a computer and cause it to send out more emails to unsuspecting people that will click on links and you guessed it, turn their computers into 'Zombies'.

If you fell for the latest scam and clicked the link in the greeting card (post card, ecard, egreeting card) email that is flooding in-boxes every day, you probably have a Zombie' computer already. Have fun re-installing Windows and I hope you have a backup of all your important files.

Martha

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