AW Tech Support's Tip of the Month

I've heard that I shouldn't accept File Transfers from people I don't know. Why is that?

Be aware that damaging programs such as computer viruses can be communicated to your computer from other users by sending files. For this reason, if you are offered a file from someone you do not know and trust very well, you are strongly encouraged to reject the file!

In particular, never run executable programs (e.g. files ending in the .exe extension) sent to you by another user. Once running, executable programs can do anything to your computer, including (for example) deleting your entire hard disk!

WARNING: Deliberately sending damaging computer viruses or other programs to other users in Active Worlds is a very serious offense and will be grounds for immediate termination of your account. Furthermore, such action may be a prosecutable criminal offense. If Activeworlds Inc. determines that you are responsible for deliberately communicating viruses or any other kind of damaging software (including, but not limited to, "trojan horses" and/or other "back door" hacking programs) to other users in Active Worlds we may, at our discretion, turn all relevant details of your account over to law enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution.