[Milsurplus] RE: Virus Emails

[rertman@ix.netcom.com]

On this same theme, I've been noticing another suspicious email attack.
Some emails have arrived with my own email address as the return.
They tell me that "my" email has been "cleaned" of a virus and invite
me to open an attachment.  

The attachment is infected!!!

One thing that made me suspicious was that the incoming email said it had
checked my Outlook Express for infections.

I don't use Outlook Express.

And a thorough check of my system using a program from work (Defense Dept.)
shows that my machine is clean.

Let's all be careful out there, friends.

Dick

Mark Richards wrote:
> 
> I advise caution regarding the following:
> 
>         >>PS.  As Meir pointed out, if you're not currently 'doing' anything
> >>on your computer, but the drive-activity light is blinking-up a
> >>storm, SHUTDOWN your system.
> 
> That's not always the best advice, although well intentioned.
> 
> Windows writes back cache to disk during idle periods and does other spooky
> disk things on its own.  Pulling the plug on these operations in progress
> could cause more mangling than any worm can.  Generally, the most
> destructive operations are already carried out by the time you notice.  If
> you're connected to the internet, by all means pull that plug (Ethernet
> cable or phone line).  That's the least destructive approach if you're at
> all uncertain.
> 
> For protection I recommend (for Windows systems):
> 
> 1) Installing a comprehensive anti-virus product in place which includes
> file and activity-triggered scans, anti-script protection, and automatic
> updating so it's always current;
> 
> 2) Installing a hardware router, such as the Linksys BEFSR41, to completely
> isolate your ip address from your pc and thereby preventing attacks;
> 
> 3) Installing a software firewall to prevent unknown applications from
> un-commanded or unintended data transfer;
> 
> 4) Installing a privacy protection tool, such as Ad-Watch, to detect and
> prevent "spyware" tools and "Trojans";
> 
> and...
> 
> 5) Gaining at least a rudimentary knowledge of appropriate file-handling
> safeguards to prevent the unwanted and potentially-destructive triggering of
> various nasty stuff.
> 
> I do all of the above and it's worked well.
> 
> OR...
> 
> Dump your windows system and install linux.  They give away most if not all
> of your software and some of the bells and whistles you've come to
> appreciate (or loathe), in exchange for a secure, stable, and able O/S.
> 
> Mark Richards
> Boston
> 
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