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Netiquette ~ Two tips for being a responsible email user
~~Mike Baynes, MikesWhatsNews

#1  Do not forward virus warnings!

Forwards of virus warnings from friends are generally always hoaxes;
See; Symantec's Virus Hoax Page;
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html#hoax
and; Hoaxbusters
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HBHoaxInfo.html#identify

- especially if they tell you to forward to everyone you know.

Delete those emails and do not forward them!

Definitely ignore those forwarded emails instructing you to delete files on your computer -they could be critical files that your computer needs to operate.

Only warn friends if you KNOW you have a virus that you have inadvertently passed on to them.

Rely only on your virus software and your software provider's Web site for the real scoop. If you get one of these wacky emails from a friend or associate, go to your virus software provider's site and read what they have to say before you unnecessarily alarm folks, delete files off your hard drive and, in the process, end up looking rather silly to say the least.

There are many urban legends purely in existence to watch all the Newbies screw up their computer's config files or forward to everyone they know and end up looking rather foolish in the process.  There's a Newbie born every minute! ;-)

With the advancement of technology, it is now possible to get a virus without even opening an email, as was the case with W32.Nimda.A@mm in September/2001 that merely required you click on the subject of the email in your email program or for those that use Outlook Express have your program set to preview.

HINT: Turn Previewing Off!

Nimda also propagated itself by taking advantage of bugs in Microsoft servers to plant itself on the server and then transfer itself to those who visited the Web sites on that server through Internet Explorer (IE is buggy too).

Several of the latest viruses actually use email addresses farmed out of your address book or Inbox to send the virus and propagate themselves to all those listed with your name in the FROM: field.
Later viruses can send out the virus with your friend's names in the from field!
Yikes!
The need for a 24/7 real-time virus protection software is no longer a choice - it is your responsibility to remain virus free.
You will also need to update your virus files regularly so that your computer is protected from the latest releases.

The Hackfix AV Program Updates are posted to my web page every Friday
http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/

Basics for virus protection:

• Get an active program that is always "ON". This will catch any viruses as they are being downloaded so they can be quarantined and cannot infect your system.
• Update your virus patterns daily or every time you log on. These updates can be downloaded from the Web site of your virus software manufacturer.
• Norton and most other AV programs have a scheduler to tell your computer to do this automatically - how convenient!
• You need to ensure your system is protected from the latest viruses which may have just been discovered since last you were online. New viruses are identified daily!
• Never click on any attachment or an .exe (examples: Happy99.exe, free stuff, click here or ILOVEYOU) file attached within an email without making sure the attachment has been checked for viruses.  Even if the mail appears to come from someone you know very well!  They may unknowingly be infected and are not aware of the virus on their system which has just spawned an email that has their name on it and is addressed to you. The email may look like it is from your friend just to get you to open it when in fact it is an email generated by a virus.

As a courtesy to your fellow Netizens, try to learn what this is all about - ignorance is not bliss online.

See my Anti-Virus pages
http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/mikes_virus_page.htm

#2 Replying to Email

When replying to emails, always respond promptly and edit out unnecessary information from a post you are responding to.

Responding promptly is the courteous thing to do. Don't let folks wonder if you received the email or are ever going to respond to their communications.

Think about how quickly you would return a phone call or voice mail. Email is no different, especially considering most folks have expectations of a faster response as email is received so quickly. Outside of any emergencies such as surgery or lack of connectivity, always respond as soon as you can.

If you need more time to gather your thoughts, simply pop off an email stating you are planning on responding in more detail and when.

Don't just hit the reply button and start typing. Edit out unimportant parts of the email you are responding to and respond point by point.

Yes, there may be times where keeping in the entire previous email is important, especially if you are adding folks to the conversation via CC. But that is the rare occasion - again, use your common sense.

Editing your email is accomplished by deleting information from the previous mail that is not necessary to continuing the conversation.  At the very least edit out email headers and signature files.

Lazy is hitting reply and sending a one word answer.... please.  Is your time more important than those you are corresponding with?  Aren't your associates or friends worth taking the time to make communicating with you easy?  Especially when email conversations on the same topic are ongoing.  Why would you possibly want to have copies of the last 3-4 (or more) emails added to the growing list of back and forth?  You make the person you are communicating with look for your response amongst all the text. Be sure to hit the enter key twice before typing after a previous email's comments. Doing so will ensure that your comments are directly after the previous email's content you are replying to. The recipient will then know exactly what part of their email your comments were directed at and this will help with clarity in your reply and avoid misunderstandings.

By not editing your email, your lack of understanding in regard to smooth communications, bandwidth and trying to keep the online environment not overloaded with unnecessary noise will be apparent. Always edit/delete what is not necessary for the conversation to continue.  This is a skill well worth developing, that over time can add tremendous clarity to your communications.

As a courtesy to your fellow Netizens, please down edit your posts keeping only what will contribute to the ongoing conversation.

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See Mike's Anti-Virus pages ~ http://virusinfo.hackfix.org.  To subscribe, send a blank email to: virusinfo-request@freelists.org?Subject=subscribe