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CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Our support area is filled with small instructional documents, and answers to questions we've been asked in the past. If you cannot find an answer here, we encourage you to send us feedback, or give us a call. Check back often, as this area is updated continually.
If you are a customer of Micro Computer Service and would like access to the Customers Area, please sign-up (the bottom of the menu), or leave us a Comment with:
- your name
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We will email you when your account is set-up.
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| Virus Facts and Myths |
Can I get a virus while on the Internet?
Generally, you cannot get a virus just by connecting to the Internet. When you receive contaminated software on your system from some place on the Internet - either by downloading software, or by allowing some web sites to install software on your computer - a virus infection is very possible. The best way to protect yourself is by running and maintaining a good virus scanner. All systems sold by Micro Computer Service come with a good virus scanning package installed, unless you request nothing installed to use your own preferred software.
Can I get a Virus in my Email?
You can receive a virus in your email, in fact, this is how most virus infections start these days. However, with the proper precautions you can remain safe from a virus attack in your email. These precautions include:
- if you insist on using Outlook Express, make sure you have a good, and updated, virus scanner installed. The better choice would be to switch to a better email client with better security than Outlook Express. You can find links to great email clients in our Links section of the web site.
- if you don't know who the sender of an email is, or you aren't expecting any email from an unknown sender, never open email from them. You can be assured that nobody is giving away anything of value in email to a complete stranger, and financial institutions will never send email about account breaches.
- never forward email around about pending threats of doom. The security companies in business will never send a warning out and expect all receiviers of this mail to forward it around the planet. This simply wastes bandwidth, increases the threat of a real problem getting spread, and makes us look like doomsday mongers when these threats never happen.
Can I get a Virus from MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger?
Yes. You cannot get a virus just from using an instant message (IM) service, but you can get a virus if John Doe sends you a file and wants you to open it. Like any other method of moving data around, one click on the wrong thing can set off a chain of events that make your computer unusable. As with email, do not accept data of any kind from people you don't know.
Why is my friend sending me a Virus in my email?
Chances are, your friend isn't really doing this. The latest string of virus attacks have been email-borne, and they propogate by using the infected computer's address book. If your address is in your friend's address book, and your friend has a virus, there is a good chance that you will be receiving an email with a virus attached to it. Seeing how this appears to come from your friend, you are suppose to be lulled into thinking it must be a valid email. What you have to do here is check the subject line of the email before you open it. Would your friend really send you an email detailing his/her drag racing adventure with movie stars ... when you know in fact they never had such a trip.
Can I get a Virus from Commercial Software?
Although it's very rare, there have been a few cases in the past where a virus slipped on to a commercial CD. In the event this ever happens to you, I would contact the distributor, or store where you bough the CD and follow their suggestions. As far as safety is concerned - of the billions of CDs on the market I can only think of two that were infected - that would seem like pretty good odds that you will never find one.
I don't have a virus scanner!
Get one. If you've never had a virus scanner, or yours just expired, you can navigate to our Links section and download one. You may also be interested in a Free, Online virus scan if you've been without protection for a while.
Last updated by Administrator (admin) on Jun 29 2006 at 12:50
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