Do+Not+Hide+File+Extensions+of+Known+File+Types

Do Not Hide File Extensions of Known File Types Most Windows operating systems, by default, hide the known file extensions in Windows Explorer. This feature can be used by virus writers and hackers to disguise malicious programs as some other file format such as text, video, or audio files. For example, a malicious executable file named "readme.txt.exe" is displayed as "readme.txt" in Windows Explorer. Therefore users are often tricked into clicking the "text" file and will inadvertently execute the malicious file. To avoid this, change the Windows Explorer setting to:- "Not hide the File Extension for known File Types." 1. Start "Windows Explorer" 2. Select "Tools" 3. Single-click "Folder Options"

4. Select the "View" tab 5. Remove the check mark from "Hide extensions for known file types"

Use Rich Text Format (.rft) instead of Word Document (.doc) format The document (".doc") format is prone to macro virus infections. Technically, these types of files contain data structures within them where macro code can be placed, allowing macro viruses to infect them. To counter this vulnerability, Trend Micro recommends that you use the Rich Text Format when saving or exchanging Microsoft Word documents. Rich Text Format files (with the .rtf file extension) have the same functionality as regular documents (with the .doc file extension) but unlike documents, they can not be infected by macro viruses. To save your Microsoft Word documents as Rich Text Format files, simply: 1. Select "Save As" the next time you want to save a document 2. Change "Save as type: Word Document (*.doc)" to "Save as type: Rich Text Format (*.rtf)"

Use Comma Delimited (.csv) Instead of the Excel Workbook (.xls) format Similar to Microsoft Word, the default Microsoft Excel format (file extension .xls) is prone to macro viruses. To counter this vulnerability, Trend Micro recommends the usage of the Comma Delimited Format when saving or exchanging Excel spreadsheets. Comma Delimited files (with the .csv file extension) have the same functionality as regular workbooks (with the .xls extension) but unlike workbooks, they can not be infected by macro viruses. To save your Microsoft Excel spreadsheets as Comma Delimited files, simply: 1. Select "Save As" the next time you want to save a workbook 2. Change "Save as type: Microsoft Excel Workbook (*.xls)" to "Save as type: CSV (Comma Delimited) (*.csv)"

Adjusting Microsoft Outlook Security Disable the Microsoft Outlook Preview Pane Some email viruses are capable of automatically executing as soon as they appear in the Outlook "Preview Pane." To prevent the automatic execution of viruses, modify Microsoft Outlook to not show the "Preview Pane:" 1. Launch Microsoft Outlook 2000 or Outlook 2002 2. Select the folder (Example: Deleted Items) that you want to change Note: If you can not see your Deleted Items folder (or any of your folders), select "View Menu" and click on "Folder List."

Keep in mind that you must change the "Preview Pane" setting for each of your folders (including Inbox, Sent Items, etc). 3. Select the "View" Menu 4. Click "Preview Pane" to enable or disable the "Preview Pane" 5. Repeat Steps 3-4 for each other folder (Inbox, Sent Items, and any other personal folders)  