Tips for users to protect their devices from email threats

Tips for users to protect their devices from email threats

Recently, when the "Here You Have" virus did its rounds and created panic among some of the major corporations Google, ABC, Disney, etc., I was forced to think what can we, as users, do to ensure that that we are least affected.

2011 is coming. Email is part of our daily life and so are the mobile devices like iPhones and Androids. An average user today has at least two devices where he maintains his data. Spam blockers and security policies have always been installed by security administrators to ensure that the corporate space is impervious to attacks. But the truth is that email moves faster than IT folks modifying the policies to stop attacks. We users need to be more responsible, proactive and smart to ensure that the data on our devices is safe, secure and invulnerable to malevolent agents.

Below are some simple steps that any user can easily adopt to secure his personal and corporate data on all mobile and non-mobile devices.

Pay attention to the email while reading. Do you recognize the email sender? This could be fake and it almost always is fake when the email is spam or a virus, so this is not foolproof, but at least it gets you thinking. If you don't recognize the person sending the email at all, you shouldn't follow instructions within the email. In short, keep an eye out for any fake or spam email IDs.

Were you expecting this person to send you a document (or attachment)? Does this person typically send you items via email? If you have doubts, pick up the phone and say "Hi."

Read the subject and body of the email. Does it make sense? Poorly worded email messages or dj vu subject lines are a flashing red light indicating that something is wrong.For example, in the case of the "Here You Have" virus, the subject was pretty vague (it actually talks about sex movies).

Don't open attachments or click on links that you weren't expecting to get. If you weren't expecting it, don't open it. Before downloading the attachment to your hard drive, do a virus scan.

Before clicking on a link, put your mouse over the link. It should display the actual URL the link will take you to. Does it match what's displayed? Do you recognize the URL? This can sometimes be a little tricky, but could save a lot of headaches down the road.

Do not forward any suspicious email. If it does contain, or point to, a virus, you're simply helping to spread it. Also, don't reply to the email asking if it's them, since it may not actually go to that person if it's spam.

Avoid sending your personal information or filling out forms in an email.

So next time you hear about a Virus, Worm or Trojan visiting your neighborhood, don't flinch! Do your bit!

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