Hey gang,
While this may not really be the forum for this, I feel it impacts
all of us. I know that a lot of us are computer professionals, but a
lot of us have just gotten our computers and don't really know much
about them.
This is directed to the second group. Computer viruses are a real
pain in the neck. They come in many different type, which I won't
go into, I'm mearly trying to make you aware of this. But they range
from merely nuisances to down write distructive menances. They can
complete distroy the software and data you have on your computer.
And unfortunately, some idots are making new ones every day.
If you are currently running a virus scanner don't let that lull you
into a false sense of security. At work I'm responsible for over 600
computers and at home 2. On numerious occasions at work, we will find
viruses on the computers that ARE running virus scanners. The problem
is that the virus list has not been updated so the virus get through.
I received a virus a few weeks ago from one mailing list, and inadvertantly
sent it to another list before I realized I had it. For the same reason,
I had updated my virus list in Nov or Dec of 98 and was infected in Jan 99.
There are many anti virus pieces of software out there and I don't want
to try and shove on down your throat. However, I personally prefer the
Norton Anti Virus progam and it's live updates. In otherwords, it will
go to their site and pull down the latest virus list when ever you tell
it to, either manually or automatically.
One other way we can try to prevent viruses, is to NOT send Wordprocessing
documents from the wordprocessor. For example, Microsoft Word. If I save
a document in their format ".doc" there are several problems with this.
1) is that everyone is probably NOT running the same version of the word
processor. So people running the older versions will NOT be able to read
the file. 2) many of the newer viruses can attach to these word processor
files.
I would suggest that if you want to send something that you have written up
in you word processor, you send it as an attachment saved as Rich Text
Format (RTF) or save the document out as Text.
If you dont have a virus scanner running, I strongly suggest that you get
one. I you haven't reciently updated your virus list, I suggest that you
do that. If you haven't scanned you entire system in a while, I also
suggest that you do that.
I've received a couple of email reciently about a new virus:
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From: "Stephen F. Bauserman" <sbauserman@actsnet.com>
To: Morgans (E-mail)com>, <laddy@fbcwf.org>
Subject: ZDNN 'Melissa' virus swamps corporate e-mail
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 21:43:36 -0600
You might want to read this and be watchful if you are using Outlook for
email or have received unexpected attachments to emails. ACTSNET.COM
appears to be clean at this time. If you should notice anything strange on
this service, please email support@actsnet.com with information regarding
the problem.
http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2233030,00.html
Stephen F. Bauserman
Managing Director
The ACTS Group
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So if you don't have one running, or haven't updated it reciently, I
strongly recommend doing so.
John
John T. Blair WA4OHZ email: jblair@exis.net
Va. Beach, Va Phone: (757) 495-8229
48 TR1800 65 Morgan 4/4 Series V
71 Saab Sonett III 75 Bricklin SV1 77 Spitfire
www.team.net/www/morgan bricklin.shel.olsy-na.com/bi
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