Saturday, January 22, 2011

ICT INFO: Email Attachments: Protect Your Business

 

Email Services

There are several email service providers available on the internet such as Google's gmail. Once set up with an email service, users are able to pass messages back and forth consisting of different types of information, files, and applications. This presents a risk not only to your computer hardware but also to files that are stored on the hard drive. You should ensure that the email service provider you use for your business can scan all attached files in order to check for viruses. Check that your email is equipped with a spam filter. This will catch some of the most common junk mail that may pose a threat to your computer.

 

Downloading Attachments

Computers are easily susceptible to virus threats through email even when you have a good anti-virus program in place. Help protect your business by being cautious of files that are sent through email to prevent possible infection. You should also avoid opening emails from unfamiliar senders, and never download a file from an email you don't recognize. There is as well the possibility of getting a file attachment that poses a threat from someone you know.
When possible, request that files are sent in recognizable formats. Most standard files sent by email are either in PDF or Word format. This is noticeable because the attachment will end in .pdf or .doc and docx in most cases. Executable files are very dangerous files that can cause immediate damage to your business computer system upon download. They contain viruses that may attach themselves to your business files and steal sensitive information.

 

Protecting Your Business

Securing your business against threats from email attachments can be a simple process. The first step in securing your web-based email is to have your own virus scanner in addition to those supplied by email service providers. Your virus software should be updated regularly. Out-of-date programs do not catch new viruses and leave your business computers vulnerable. Computers should also have a spam blocker to help prevent any further chances at catching a virus. When certain files get through your spam blocker you can mark them as spam and have them redirected out of your inbox.
Some email programs have a defaulted preview pane which opens email, as soon as it is received. By leaving the preview pane feature on, it is possible for malicious software to start downloading without users having to click on the file. Because of this, it's important to disable the preview pane option within your email program.
By adhering to some simple steps this will help your business stay secure from threats due to malicious attachments. Ensure that employees understand and follow all guidelines related to email security. This will help prevent potential threats being passed through the network due to employees being unaware of the warning signs.

 sources from http://www.suite101.com/

Sunday, January 16, 2011

JuSt FoR FuN: You know you've been in Malaysia too long when...

1. You've got a variety of lah, mah, meh, lor etc. in your vocabulary and use them constantly

2. You pop in a shopping mall just because 'they have aircon in there.'

3. You're outraged when they increase the price of petrol from RM1.40 to RM1.50 (~EUR0.33).

4. You always have a packet of Premier tissues on you.

5. You forgot why piracy is supposed to be bad when it's apparent how good it is.

6. You don't care about red lights any more...

7. ... and then you ask 'Can you help me?' when a police officer approaches you.

8. Your local friends complain they can't get any pork at their university and you fully understand.

9. You moan about when Roti Canai comes for RM0.60 when it used to be just RM0.50.

10. You no longer believe that “tall, DARK and handsome” is a collocation.

11. You know what it means when a tin can is on top of a car

12. You find driving on the wrong side of the road in the face of incoming traffic nothing special.

13. There are more lanes of cars than there are actual car lanes, and you are one of the people, happily driving in the emergency lane...

14. You think there's nothing wrong with putting chili sauce on everything you eat.

15. Durian and belachan no longer stink to you.

16. You find roti for breakfast amazing.

17. You automatically take money out of your wallet to hand over when you're pulled over by a policeman.

18. You're surprised when bouncers ID you.

19. You're not surprised when your passport photocopy works as an ID

20. You talk about "pollution days" when your friends talk about "snow days".

21. You can tell the time of day by counting how many times it has rained so far.

22. Monsoons? unusual? never.

23. You've forgotten what a clear sky looks like.

24. You have a supply of breathing masks inside your store room. Damn those indonesians!

25. You find yourself in foreign countries asking for 100+ and are shocked when you can't get it, then experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

26. You get to hong kong and are amazed at the 'clean air'

27. An entire road that only sells foot massages no longer seems strange to you

28. A train taking 14 hours to travel 400km no longer seems strange to you

29. You no longer get the 1RM and 50RM notes mixed up, and therefore stop accidentily giving people rather hefty tips

30. You have actually seen the mysterious 2RM note

31. You can actually find your way around Sungei Wang Plaza, and when you turn a corner it doesn't just look the same as where you had just come from

32. You actually like that green coconut paste that finds its way into various food-stuffs

33. You have worked out the position of every ladyboy in KL, and can weave around them seamlessly without ever hearing "Hello, handsome man. You want boom-boom?"..

34. Malaysian bread no longer tastes strange.

35. A traffic jam where every car is pointing in a different direction no longer seems strange to you.

36. No longer bothers with zebra crossings, even at busy highways

37. Purple balls hanging from a 5 story christmas tree no longer look unusual.

38. Gardenia tastes "so good, you can even eat it on its own".

39. You say "I'm on my way" and really mean "I'm just getting into the shower." Upon arriving 20 minutes late, you blame it on the traffic.

40. In public bathrooms, the squatty toilets actually are more appealing to you than the western ones.

41. You double your words to explain something... ie. "ahh you talk-talk so much wan".

42. It is just 11:30 p.m and the Taxi driver thinks you are high and wants to charge you for midnight charge.

43. You make LOUD smooching sound to get waiter's attention at a mamak restaurant.

44. You roll up your pant legs before you go into a public toilet

credit to dville syokeratis