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When possible, avoid e-mail attachments both when sending and receiving e-mail. Even if the file comes from a friend, you still must be sure what the file is before opening it. Remember, just opening a worm unleashes potential damage on your PC.
Keep your operating system and applications up-to-date and apply the latest patches when they become available. Do make sure that you run anti-virus and update your signatures at least daily.
Never use features in your programs that automatically get or preview files. Those features may seem convenient, but they let anybody send you anything, including dangerous worms.
Never open e-mail attachments with the file extensions VBS, SHS, SRC or PIF and double file extensions such as NAME.BMP.EXE or NAME.TXT.VBS. These extensions are almost never used in normal attachments but they are frequently used by viruses and worms. Beware of hidden file extensions.
Configure Windows to always show file extensions. In Windows 2000, this is done through Explorer via the Tools menu: Tools/Folder Options/View - and uncheck "Hide file extensions for known file types". This makes it more difficult for a harmful file (such as an EXE or VBS) to masquerade as a harmless file (such as TXT or JPG). By default, Windows hides the last extension of a file, so that innocuous-looking picture "mycar.jpg" might really be "mycar.jpg.exe" - an executable worm.
Do not trust the icons of attachment file. Worms often send executable files which have an icon resembling icons of picture, text or archive files - to fool the user.
Avoid attachments with sexual filenames. E-mail worms often use attachments with names like PORNO.EXE or PAMELA_NUDE.VBS to lure users into executing them.
When you receive e-mail advertisements or other unsolicited e-mail, do not open attachments in them or follow web links quoted in them.
Never accept attachments from strangers in online chat systems such as IRC, ICQ or AOL Instant Messenger.
Do not share your folders with other users unless necessary. If you do, make sure you do not share your full drive or your Windows directory. If you don't need File and Print Sharing services for Windows then turn it off and uninstall it.
Disconnect your network or modem cable when you're not using your computer or just power it down.
Avoid downloading files from sites that you aren't 100% sure about.
Don't feel a false sense of security just because you run anti-virus programs - these do NOT fully protect against many viruses, worms and Trojans, even when fully updated. While such applications are important, anti-virus programs should not be your front line of security, but instead they serve as a backup in case a virus, worm, or Trojan horse ends up on your computer.
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