What is safe computing?

With all the hype, it is easy to believe that viruses lurk in every file, every email, every Web site. However, a few basic precautions can minimize your risk of infection. Practice safe computing and encourage everyone you know to do so as well.

General precautions

• Do not leave a floppy disk in the floppy disk drive when you shut down or restart the computer.
• Write-protect your floppy disks after you have finished writing to them.
• Be suspicious of email attachments from unknown sources.
• Verify that attachments have been sent by the author of the email. Newer viruses can send email messages that appear to be from people you know.
• Do not set your email program to "auto-run" attachments.
• Obtain all Microsoft security updates.
• Back up your data frequently. Keep the (write protected) media in a safe place--preferably in a different location than your computer.

Specific to Norton AntiVirus

• Make sure that you have the most recent virus definitions. We recommend that you run LiveUpdate at least once per week. Symantec Security Response updates virus definitions in response to new virus threats. For additional information, please see How to Run LiveUpdate.
• Make sure that you have set Norton AntiVirus to scan floppy disks on access and at shutdown. Please see your User's Guide for information on how to do this in your version of Norton AntiVirus.
• Always keep Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect running. Symantec Security Response now strongly recommends that you have Norton AntiVirus set to scan all files, not just program files.
• Scan all new software before you install it. Because boot sector viruses spread by floppy disks and bootable CDs, every floppy disk and CD should be scanned for viruses. Shrink-wrapped software, demo disks from suppliers, and trial software are not exempt from this rule. Viruses have been found even on retail software.
• Scan all media that someone else has given you.
• Use caution when opening email attachments. Email attachments are a major source of virus infections. Microsoft Office attachments for Word, Excel, and Access can be infected by Macro viruses. Other attachments can contain file infector viruses. Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect will scan these attachments for viruses as you open or detach them. We recommend that you enable email scanning, which will scan email attachments before the email message is sent to your email program.