Send more virii I reckon though!
The sircam virus provided me a heap of new customers to have their computers salvaged and I even upsold a couple to new machines.
Newbies, gotta love em.
David
Oops, forgot to mention, presently using Outlook 2000
[ September 25, 2001: Message edited by: David Fisher ]
You might want to look at ANT 4 MailChecking. I've only used it once or twice... I can't even remember why I needed it, but I was impressed. It's easy, quite full-featured, and appears to be pretty cheap. You can download the shareware version to try it out.
For the most part, e-mail programs such as Outlook and Netscape Messenger only open the text portion of your e-mails (if not, change that in your Security Options). Text does not contain executable code, and therefore can't contain viruses.
Only when you open the attached file(s) will the attached code be executeed, which requires you to click on something. The virus guys are clever in getting folks to click on links, such as "Vote here to have bin Laden assinated" or "Here's the most beautiful naked body you've ever seen." So, be careful. Even when it comes from somone you know, since viruses often propogate by sending e-mails to everyone in your address book over your ID.
Rigid discipline to NEVER click any link that could possibly be generic, no matter how inticing, or apparently non-generic, is the best way to stay virus free. Delete all e-mails with unexpected attachments. Then e-mail your friend back saying "Did you really send that thing; if so please explain and resend." A pain yes; but it's a minor hassle compared with getting attacked by a virus -- and in turn sending it to all your e-mail contacts.
Regards,
Jim
Maybe you remember when I switched from dial-up to dsl? Do you remember my panic over losing my email proggie? I had Eudora, as it had come with my Mindspring account. I did manage to keep it and I was so happy about that.
My hubby reads puter mags all the time. They seem to applaud Eudora as it is rarely the target for viruses and does allow you to see the email before actually opening it. I've seen Juno in action and that's precisely why I didn't want to let go of Eudora.
Any proggie you choose will have to be gotten used to...as opposed to microsoft proggies. Thank God we have the option to do so.
Good Luck either way!
quote:
Only when you open the attached file(s) will the attached code be executeed, which
requires you to click on something.
It was written here on this BB &/or on links I followed from here that once you look at the mail, it's too late...you don't have to open the attachment.
I really know almost nothing about virus's (viri ?)but remembered being surprised at that new threat from "Nimda"
That and the usual common sense Jim has mentioned above has it covered.
Send more virii I reckon though!
The sircam virus provided me a heap of new customers to have their computers salvaged and I even upsold a couple to new machines.
Newbies, gotta love em.
David
As far as those stupid HUGE file attachments are concerned..I am with Bill..My server uses a web based e-mail viewer and if a file is so large that it would take forever to download I just cancel the download and go to the web based viewer and delete the e-mail.
Of course with DSL connection there isn't a file that can't be downloaded in a a couple of minutes!!!!!!!!!! LOL 
Unless your e-mail is openning the attachments already, your can't get stung just by viewing the text portion of your e-mail (viewing it). If folks are reporting that "all they did was look at the e-mail," I suspect they're not willing to admit they took the bait. They almost assuredly clicked an active link. But to be on the really safe side, I set my security options to the highest level, as such (Outlook Express 6):
The only way to be safe is to NEVER click a link to anything you're unsure of, even if it comes from someone you trust. If there's a chance it can be generic, it could be a sucker play (the person you trust just got the virus). And no e-mail program on the planet will protect you ... if you click a link that's infected. Virus scanning can help, but they're only as good as their latest database of "known" viruses, which you need to update constantly. When clever new ones show up, people get stung until the kids at Norton and McCafee (sp?) scramble to catch up. I strongly preach the "Never Click a Generic Link" philosophy at our company. But, to test the folks, I sent them this e-mail just yesterday:
Have you seen this?!
--------------------------------------------------
AP Wire Service (25 Sept 2001): Taliban spokesperson reports Osama bin Laden has been hospitalized and is in critical condition following a surprise attack by Northern Alliance forces in Afghanistan.
Read Complete Story
You'd be amazed how many Summa employees clicked the link ... better than half.
My $.04,
Jim
