Adam brought to my attention this email [1] that came to his inbox with a virus attached. It looks official at first glance, but read my comments on how to dissect an email for authenticity.

Like any medium, we all need to keep a discerning eye on the information we read on the Internet and in email. You don't believe everything you read in the newspaper or see on TV do you? The Internet is no different and tends to breed more fiction because its tools are so readily available.

First and foremost, keep an anti-virus software running on your computer at all times and make sure it is updated at least weekly. Remember, keeping a virus program updated is completely different than the program doing a weekly scan of your computer files. I favor AVG Antivirus on mine and my client's computers, but whatever you use, keep it updated.

And again, be very wary of all email (including the ones from your friends and family). Visit these sites for information on email hoaxes and keep in mind that I am always just a phone call away every Saturday morning!

• Snopes [2]
• Kumite [3] - Vmyths
• Hoaxbusters [4] - from the Department of Energy
• Hoaxkill [5]