Take some simple steps to protect yourself against the latest e-mail viruses at home and at the office.

1. E-mail attachments you should never open
2. E-mail attachments you should open with caution
3. How you make e-mail extensions visible

1. E-mail attachments you should never open:

.Ext	Description
.ade	Microsoft Access project extension
.adp	Microsoft Access project
.bas	Microsoft Visual Basic class module
.bat	Batch file
.chm	Compiled HTML Help file
.cmd	Microsoft Windows NT Command script
.com	Microsoft MS-DOS program
.cpl	Control Panel extension
.crt	Security certificate
.exe	Program
.hlp	Help file
.hta	HTML program
.inf	Setup Information
.ins	Internet Naming Service
.isp	Internet Communication settings
.js	JScript file
.jse	Jscript Encoded Script file
.lnk	Shortcut
.mdb	Microsoft Access program
.mde	Microsoft Access MDE database
.msc	Microsoft Common Console document
.msi	Microsoft Windows Installer package
.msp	Microsoft Windows Installer patch
.mst	Microsoft Visual Test source files
.pcd	Photo CD image, Microsoft Visual compiled script
.pif	Shortcut to MS-DOS program
.reg	Registration entries
.scr	Screen saver
.sct	Windows Script Component
.shb	Shell Scrap object
.shs	Shell Scrap object
.url	Internet shortcut
.vb	VBScript file
.vbe	VBScript Encoded script file
.vbs	VBScript file
.wsc	Windows Script Component
.wsf	Windows Script file
.wsh	Windows Script Host Settings file

2. E-mail attachments you may receive but should be opened with extreme caution:

.Ext	Description
.xls	Microsoft Excel document - macro virus
.doc	Microsoft Word document - macro virus

3. If you can't see the e-mail extensions this is how you make the extensions visible:

Windows 2000 / ME / XP

1. Double click on "My Computer" icon on desktop
2. Choose "Tools" menu
3. Choose "Folder Options"
4. Choose "View" tab
5. Make sure to uncheck - "Hide file extensions for known file types"

Windows 95

1. Double click on "My Computer" icon on desktop
2. Choose "View" menu
3. Choose "Options"
4. Choose "View" tab
5. Make sure to uncheck - "Hide MSDOS file extensions for file types that are registered"

Windows 98

1. Double click on "My Computer" icon on desktop
2. Choose "View" menu
3. Choose "Folder Options"
4. Choose "View" tab
5. Make sure to uncheck -"Hide file extensions for known file types"

Windows NT 4.0

1. Double click on "My Computer" icon on desktop
2. Choose "View" menu
3. Choose "Options"
4. Choose "View" tab
5. Make sure to uncheck -"Hide file extensions for known file types"