Not only should you use an antivirus program, but you should keep the definitions updated. Washington and Lee makes Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition available to students AT NO COST. You can download SAVCE from our web page. Check here for instructions to keep SAVCE updated and click here for instructions for scanning your PC.

That's right, NEVER! Although attachments may appear to be from a friend, they may not be. Most viruses spread by grabbing addresses from address books and sending itself to everyone in them. Ask yourself these questions: Am I expecting this attachment? Does it make sense? Always verify that the attachment did come from a friend, and even then don't open it. Instead right click, 'save as' to your PC, and then scan it for viruses first.

Be wary of any Web site that requires you to download software to view a page, unless it's something familiar like a Flash plug-in or Acrobat Reader. The file may contain a virus, a Trojan horse, or some auto-dialer that calls pay-per-minute numbers via your modem and racks up huge charges.

Never download something from an email. Never open an attachment that claims to be a 'security patch' or something similar. There have been viruses going around that claim to be from Microsoft and include a 'critical update'. Microsoft has NEVER sent patches and updates by email, and neither has any other corporation. Microsoft does send bulletins inviting you to their site to download patches or updates, but only if you've previously subscribed to their newsletter. Get your updates only from a legitimate web site, such as Windows Update.

Ideally it would be best to never install Spyware in the first place, but of course that's not always possible. Many "free" utilities like Kazaa or HotBar install spyware without your permission or knowledge. At best, they collect information about your browsing habits; at worst they can gather your personal information like credit card numbers and passwords. For a detailed description of spyware, follow this link.

If you suspect you may have Spyware, we highly recommend you download:

• SpyBot Search & Destroy
• AdAware SE
• Microsoft Anti-Spyware

First, do not give out your email address to any website unless it is absolutely necessary. Second, NEVER, EVER respond to spam. Even if you reply to get off their spam list, you have just confirmed that your email address is valid.

E-mail-borne worms and other viruses like to exploit security holes in your software--namely Windows and other Microsoft programs. Therefore, Microsoft issues many critical updates to fix these flaws. Last January, the Slammer worm exploited a vulnerability that Microsoft had fixed more than six months before. But thousands of infected computers--including some at Microsoft--didn't have the patch installed. Run the Windows Update program at least once a week and whenever Microsoft issues a warning.

When things go bad, a boot or rescue disk is your first step to recovery. At minimum, you'll want to put the basic elements of your operating system on a floppy disk. These disks are very simple to make. Insert a blank, formatted floppy disk and go to Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs and click the Startup Disk tab.

For Windows XP: insert a floppy disk, open My Computer, right click on the floppy drive (usually A:) and select Format. In the Format options choose 'Create a MS-DOS Startup disk'

Rumors spread like wild fire: there are more hoaxers than hackers on the Internet, and more bogus "e-mail virus alerts" than actual viruses. A phony warning could cause you to delete harmless files and then forward the message to others, clogging e-mail servers and causing virus-like damage in the process. When you get one of these e-mails check it out first. Type the name of the alleged virus into a search engine to see if any of the major security vendors have issued an alert, and visit the virus hoax pages at F-Secure and Hoaxbusters.

A firewall is like a bouncer for your computer. It checks every data transfer attempt and won't let anything in or out of your system until you allow it - so a hacker can't access personal information on your hard drive, and a Trojan horse keystroke logger can't steal your passwords and transmit them over the Net. WindowsXP comes with a firewall; WindowsXP SP2 greatly improves the firewall and overall security.

Simply put: Back up your data files at least weekly. Even if you fall victim to a virus or hacker attack, you'll escape with only minor damage.

Okay, this is twelve. Buy a lock from Technology Services. They can help you attach the lock to your carrel, and they keep a master key in case you lose yours.