Email can open up your world, minimise both isolation and communication costs, and be quite safe as long as you follow a few basic rules.

Email is the most common means of computer virus infection. Infections can only be spread through mail with executables attached (that is programs usually ending in the suffix .exe) or by mail with documents attached that may have macros in them. Therefore it is safest not to ever open or run attached files with your email that may contain macros or programs. If you do decide to accept such files – always, always, run an up-to-date virus scan over them before opening (or running) the file.

Graphic files such as .jpg .bmp .gif or plain text documents such as .txt and .rtf can not be infected by viruses.

Microsoft Outlook ( the mail program which comes with Internet Explorer) can be affected by some email viruses as it may open mail and run macros automatically. If you have access to another mail program it can be a good idea to use it as Outlook is often targeted by virus makers.