Bitten By 'Love'? You Should Know Better

And You Will After You Read Tom's Tips

Stevie Wonder must have been thrilled. People all over the world just e-mailed to say "I Love You."

You're probably sick to death of the "I Love You" virus by now, but it's time for some crucial advice on how to avoid a virus.

1. Never open an e-mail attachment from a stranger.

2. Never open an e-mail attachment from a friend.

3. NEVER OPEN AN E-MAIL ATTACHMENT.

Have I made my point?

4. Use an anti-virus program.

5. Keep it up to date with the latest data downloads.

6. NEVER OPEN AN E-MAIL ATTACHMENT.

And now, just for good measure:

7. Use a firewall if you have a full-time Internet connection.

8. Don't use Microsoft Outlook for e-mail.

9. Never open an e-mail attachment.

My favorite two quotes about the whole "I Love You" imbroglio came from ZDNet columnist Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols: "I'm on record as saying that Outlook is a security hole that also happens to be an e-mail client.

"As an IT professional, if you've deployed Outlook, you're ensuring that every so often a Melissa-like worm will give your company's e-mail heart a heart attack. Frankly, considering how much money and time incidents like these waste, if you were my employee or integrator and you refused to change, I'd fire you."

If you want a good, free e-mail client, use Pegasus Mail. I've used it for years, and it works great.

If you want more information on preventing viruses, check out this previous column, "Don't Let Hackers Hijack Your PC."

Reader's Addendum

"You forgot Number 10: '10. If you're that afraid of getting a virus, get rid of your computer!'"

Cool! I could sit outside all day drinking gin and tonic and working on my tan! (Geez! I must be channeling George Hamilton.)

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