Here's some practical and invaluable steps you can take to protect your e-mail today from viruses and worms: Part 2

6. Pay attention to your computer. If it starts to act strangely, or does not function in the normal manner, there is a good chance that your computer has become infected with a virus. STOP your work, and investigate it before it gets any worse. Run your virus scan. If you can't find the virus and know you have recent virus data files ... contact your computer repair/maintenance company to see if they can help you. Or visit us at computerguyslive.com for experienced virus removal.

7. STOP FORWARDING 'WARNING' EMAILS! There are billions of emails floating around in cyberspace warning of gloom, doom and falling skies. They usually tell the recipient to forward the email to everyone you know. The vast majority of these email alerts are a hoax.

Here is why these are often just as harmful as a virus: A. After reading a so-called warning email, the recipient may delete legitimate files from their computer. These could be files that actually secure the computer. B. Repeated, false alarms desensitize the public to the problem of viruses. Cry wolf too many times, and when the real thing comes along, no one knows until the wolf is onto dessert. C. False alarms cause an overflow of traffic to websites like Microsoft, Symantec, and McAfee. You can check out the legitimacy of a virus by going to http://vil.nai.com/vil/hoaxes.asp and looking up the suspected virus. It will say HOAX if it is not real. This is a great resource for virus information.

8. If you are using Windows XP. Always make sure to have the latest version of the operating system. Even years after it has been released, software testers, engineers and hackers continue to find security flaws within the XP operating system. Microsoft has set up a program in which it will release fixes, or patches, to XP. You can set your computer to either look for updates automatically (highly recommended) or you can check for updates manually. To verify and/or change your settings, look for 'Windows Updates' from your Start button.

9. And remember, many techs use online e-mail due to the security risks involved in downloading e-mail to their computer. This online access also allows total freedom while traveling and changing computers. We are reprinting this article because the regular computer user needs to know the basics of e-mail security. Most of the millions of computers get infected every year due to e-mail viruses and worms that are spread through opening and sending the infection to others.