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Viruses
There are many myths about computer viruses. When you start using the Internet to get email and/or download files you need to educate yourself about the reality and myths of viruses. There are many email hoaxes that make the rounds that can needlessly scare you. These hoaxes will tell you that if you get an email message with a certain subject line - "delete immediately!" or dire consequences will happen.
Reading email messages is safe. However, files can be attached to your email that contain viruses. A virus can only be in an executable type file (such as .exe, .com, .ini) or Microsoft Word (.doc), Excel (.xls) or Access (.mdb) files . It's highly recommended that you do not open these types of files without scanning them for viruses. Make sure your email program is not set to automatically open attached files.
There is a web site where you can go which will scan your computer for free, without downloading virus scanning software: http://www.housecall.antivirus.com.
For more detailed information about viruses and myths go to:
Symantec's Antivirus Research Center
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/
MOREnet Virus FAQ
http://www.more.net/security/virus.html
Downloading Virus-Protection Software
Official Web Site of the City of St. Louis
This Page Last Modified: 11/19/07