I have given you figures in the past, trying to impress you with the importance of having antivirus software, as well as keeping it up to date. My antivirus software claims to protect me from over 58,000 virus threats. I have seen programs on computers that have not been updated since they were installed in 1998. The number of viruses that have come out since the program was installed has to have at least doubled. This means that programs that have not been updated do not know about the viruses that have come out and therefore have no idea what to look for to stop them. This is a bad thing for you as well as anyone else that the infected one comes in contact with in cyberworld. I receive about three e-mails a week that my antivirus program stops from getting to me because they are infected. Unprotected systems are probably receiving the same amount but they don’t have a clue until it is to late.

This month I would like to have each of you read 10 tips that I came across on the McAfee Website. If we would all follow these tips as law, we might have a chance to get through this computer world that we have created a little safer.

• Do not open any files attached to an e-mail from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source. You can’t even be sure about the known sources.
• Do not open any files attached to an e-mail unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through e-mail. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it.
• Do not open any files attached to an e-mail if the subject line is questionable or unexpected. If the need to do so is there, always save the file to your hard drive before doing so.
• Delete chain e-mails and junk e-mail. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of e-mail are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
• Do not download any files from strangers. 
• Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software. 
• Update your anti-virus software regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be at the least the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well. 
• Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer. When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or e-mail attachments. Not executing is the more important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors for updates which include those for your operating system, Web browser, and e-mail. One example is the security site section of Microsoft .
• If you are in doubt about any potential virus related situation you find yourself in, contact avert .

These tips are not meant to have you lean towards buying McAfee as the antivirus product of choice. This is the product that I use and feel comfortable with. If you have used Norton or Panda or any other software, and you don’t have a problem with viruses, keep it updated and all the rest of us thank you. If you don’t have software installed or maybe haven’t updated in a while then get on the ball. Don’t become a part of the statistics of virus infection. Become a part of the solution and help to pass the message on to your family, friends and coworkers for the good of all of us.