Think twice before opening any files attached to e-mail messages, especially when you are not expecting one. Remember that once you activate a virus program by opening the attached file, your computer is at the mercy of the programmer of the virus. It can erase, encrypt or modify your files; it may also steal personal information from your disk, such as your online banking password.

Most users feel secure in having an anti-virus program installed on their computers; this is a major mistake. Computer viruses are very similar to biological viruses and anti-virus programs are similar to vaccines. Getting a certain shot does not protect you from all diseases and similarly an anti-virus program cannot protect your computer against new viruses. An effective virus protection checklist is simple, and short:

1) Do not open e-mail attachments unless the message and the attached file are expected deliveries. Opening attachments with file extensions JPG, JPEG, GIF, AVI, MP3, BMP is usually safe and we suggest that you avoid opening attachments with any other extension.
2) Do not trust attachments just because you have received them from friends, colleagues, or even experts.
3) Avoid sophisticated e-mail programs that open attachments automatically or disable such features (e.g. MS Outlook).
4) Do not install every program you are offered; be choosy and first try the software on a computer where no critical information is kept.
5) If you are using anti-virus software, check the vendor's site frequently for announcements on new viruses and go through the online update procedures frequently.

For more details on the new MTX virus, you can visit
http://lists.bilkent.edu.tr/bcc/bcc.htm

Dear Editor,

I want to ask what Bilkent is doing for those of us who have to wait for service buses at the National Library (Milli Kütüphane) bus stop. For those readers who have missed it, the shelter, tree and most of the pavement have all disappeared in aid of the vital task of saving vehicle drivers another 20 seconds in their precious lives. Meanwhile, as the winter weather approaches, students and staff waiting for buses at Bahçeli will have no protection from spray, exhaust fumes and the occasional idiot driving onto the pavement. Can Bilkent's authorities assure us that they will make sure that either proper protection is placed between us and the traffic, or that the bus stop is moved as soon as possible?
Jerry Spring (FAST)

In response to Jerry Spring's letter Sinan Çam, Manager of Administrative Affairs and Manager of Transportation Services provided the following reply.

We are also very unhappy with the construction work at the Milli Kütüphane bus stop. Since the sidewalk is in Ankara Municipality's jurisdiction, we are unable to interfere with the construction going on there, nor place protection between passengers and the traffic. With regard moving the bus-stop, we have been working on it but we have not yet found an appropriate location (please note that it should be an EGO stop). If you have any suggestions, e-mail ulasim@bilkent.edu.tr