----- Original Message -----

From: "Carol"
Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Question about Avast

> The answers I received led to another question.  For those who have
> Avast:  Does it not tell you if there is a virus in an email attachment?
> How do you know if it's ok to open one or not?
> Carol Hanson


Personally I find email virus scanning slow and unreliable. In my opinion it's safer to practice good habits when
dealing with attachments, rather than relying on a VS program to do it on the fly. Zone Alarm has also proven
itself useless with email attachments. Using the simple preventative measures below, I don't recall *ever being
infected by an email virus. Although somewhat tedious at first, eventually these steps became almost second nature
(like finally giving in and using a seat belt).

My school of thought is that there are two groups who send attachments - "friends and everyone else."
I wouldn't eat a box of chocolates sent through snail mail from a stranger, but even a friend may send a box
without knowing the contents has gone bad. So, I never accept attachments from anyone I don't know, and I still
check the attachments from those I do know.

For what it's worth, here are the preventative steps I've used for years...

1. Install MailWasher Free v2.0.40
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,20000,00.asp
This is a trial version and I don't know if it expires. I'm using version 2.0.28 beta, which does not expire and
can be freely distributed.

2. With an email message highlighted (one with an attachment), find your email program's "Save attachments" option.

3. Save the attachment to a temp folder on your desktop (or a location you prefer).

4. Right click the temp folder and select 'Scan for viruses'.

Now I've never used Avast or Norton, but I suspect either will have option 4 available.

The only way that I can think of to get infected using the above method is if a virus is relatively new (less than
2 or 3 days old). Otherwise, keeping your anti virus program up to date should be adequate.

* The one time I was infected - I opened an attachment from a friend without scanning it first!!

I don't know if I've answered your question, and my method may be outdated, but my machine remains virus-free.

Have a nice day.

Alan Thompson

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