by Ashley Smith

Created on: May 27, 2009

The best way to deal with chain letters and virus hoaxes is to wipe them instantly you see them or if you don't recognise the emails names don't open it in the first place. Anything that promise anything will happen if you send the message to other people is a con, anything saying you have won something is a con. Only open prize winning emails if you know you entered the competition in the first place. There are hundreds of ways the con men and virus senders will try and trap you so beware and take these steps.

1/JUNK

If your email supplier puts it in junk the nearly every time its the place to leave it. There may be one or two that get there by accident so keep checking but only touch what you recognise.

2/PROTECTION

Make sure that all your protection software is set up and is up to date, they will block most cons viruses but will not stop what you invite in. If you accept a download that contains a virus your computer cant stop it. Your computer should scan emails to see if anything looks dodgy, it will normally warn you it has blocked pictures and attachments. If it does so don't open unless you are sure of the contents.

3/BEWARE OF ADS

Many download adverts that appear on web pages are cons, do not for example accept any software which offers to check for problems or will speed up your computer. It will scan and say you have hundreds of problems but will charge you to clean them. This a con, the programs to do this can be downloaded for free.

4/BEWARE ATTACHMENTS

Many people will send you joke pictures and films but some may contain dodgy stuff within. This is especially true when the attachment says you have to download a special program to open the attachment. If so don't do it and wipe the email, if you know the sender tell them the problem.

5/MESSENGER VIRUS

A problem i have been having along with connected friends is a hoax link sent via msn messenger. It sends a link and a message as if from a friend telling you to follow the link for something. It will say something like " I saw a picture of you on this site, have a look and check", don't check just ignore, tell your friend about this so they know and can pass the warning on to others.

6/ SOCIAL NETWORK SCAM

Be very careful of the games buttons you press to move through games and to change screens, each screen will have a number of pop ups and fake links that could lead to all sorts of trouble.

The basic rule is that you are in charge, don't click on or open anything you don't recognise.

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