|
Virus Notes: Disabling Browser ScriptingDisabling Windows Scripting Host (WSH) offers a lot of protection, as does never opening attachments you haven't verified or aren't expecting. Disable WHS in Outlook ExpressIf you use Outlook Express to read your email, you should turn off the Preview Pane: View > Layout Uncheck Show Preview Pane. If the email has an attachment, you will see a paperclip icon. If you are unsure of a message's origination, highlight and right-click on it, and then select Properties. To read the message select Message Details. This gives you a text version of the message, which is ultimately safer. A few extra steps are worth it, in my opinion. To disable the Scripting Host (but keep in mind that applications which require the WSH will no longer function, although you can re-enable it when you're going to run them): Windows 98WSH is installed in a standard installation of the operating system, or if you install Internet Explorer 5, or if you download WSH from Microsoft. To disable WSH, preventing scripts from being run:
To prevent scripts with a .VBS extension from being run:
Windows NT 4.0WSH is installed if you install Internet Explorer 5, or if you download WSH from Microsoft. To prevent scripts with a .VBS extension from being run:
Windows 2000 and Windows ME WSH is installed by default.
Additionally, you should send email in PLAIN TEXT ONLY. Possibly many of you like using HTML email because it's "pretty." But is pretty mail worth risking the integrity of your system? HTML is meant for the WWW; not for mailing lists, Usenet newsgroups postings, proper business Email correspondence and preferably not for personal Email unless the recipient is expecting it. Follow this link to determine how to configure your software to send plain text messages: http://www.geocities.com:0080/CapitolHill/1236/nomime.html Finally, you should never, never, never send attachments through a mailing list unless it is expected. Preferably though, you send it only to those who request it. Even in this age of DSL and Cable, some people are still using a dialup connection and won't appreciate the time it takes to download an attachment they never requested. If the file is something you will be showing often, find a spot on the WWW to place it, and send the URL instead. (posted to online forum) Firefox Web Browser Script BlockingFirefox (http://www.mozilla.org/firefox) has become a popular alternative to Internet Explorer, that is bundled with Windows. You can add many terrific addons (extensions) to Firefox that protect you from Internet nasties. "NoScript" (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722) is one of the best addons. It allows complete control. You can enable scripts on your trusted websites and disable others. You may enable scripts temporarily. Another great script is called "Cookie Monster" (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4703), which does the same function for cookie storage on your computer. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The PDQ Library is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
|