I received the noticed below this morning from my server. If it is important enough for my server to notify it's customers personally then I take it seriously. Not to scare anyone, but I feel this message is worth sharing. Thank you! Lygia >Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 08:49:44 -0600 >From: "Net 1 Inc. Administrator" <root@mail.net1inc.net> >To: cuttstree@net1inc.net >Subject: Net 1 Virus Alert! > >Dear Net 1 Customer, > >Net 1 Inc. is sending out this email to notify you of the dangers of the >Melissa Virus and its newest variant, Papa. THESE ARE NOT HOAXES. > >Net 1 has taken every precaution we can to protect you from Melissa. We >protect you from Melissa by filtering out (rejecting) any email with the >subject that matches "Important message from . . " > >This will keep the original Melissa from getting on your systems, BUT, not >the variant. Another, similar virus has been made, eliminating the >subject altogether, and thus eliminating the protection we can put against >it. If there were any way to protect you at our mail server, we would. >But there is not. > >The only way to protect you is to inform you of the new virus and let you >know how to prevent it. > >COPIED FROM RUSS HAAG'S NEWSLETTER: >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >============================================= >The Short Take - Unless you run MS WORD 97 or WORD 2000 _and_ MS Outlook >this one can't touch you, at least not yet. Other versions of the virus >(mutations) have apparently been reported. >============================================= >DETAILED INFO > >The "Melissa Virus" is actually a macro (small program) written for >Microsoft WORD. An MS-WORD document comes attached to an email and if you >open it, the macro takes over and runs. WORD Macros are written in a >programming language called "Visual Basic" and make no mistake: it is a >very powerful language. I've seen shareware programs written entirely in >VB WORD Macros. But back to the virus... > >The email message has as the subject, "An Important Message From..." and a >WORD document is attached. The message reads, "Here is the document you >asked for - don't show anyone else :-)" > >If you click on the attachment, you will be asked to grant the macro >permission to run. Doing so activates the virus. It will display for you a >list of some 80 links to porn sites and, unknown to you, will search for >MS Outlook and use it to send the same file to the first 50 names in your >email address book. > >-------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Please follow his advice. Do NOT open unknown attachments in your email. > >Net 1 cannot be held responsible if you receive, are infected, or if any >information is damaged on your computer by this, or any other virus. > >Sincerely, > >Net 1 Inc. Management > Lygia Dawkins Cutts 881 Weaver Road Brewton, AL 36426 Cuttstree@Net1inc.net Lygia's Genealogy Page http://users.net1inc.net/cuttstree/index.htm Southwest AL Genealogy Surname Registry http://members.tripod.com/~lygia/index-1.html ALGenWeb - AL File Manager http://www.rootsweb.com/~algwarch/alfiles.htm ALGenWeb - Escambia County http://users.net1inc.net/cuttstree/escambia/gendex.html ALGenWeb - Lamar County http://www.rootsweb.com/~allamar/lamar.htm ALGenWeb - Conecuh County http://www.rootsweb.com/~alconecu/conecco.html Lygia's Clogging Page http://users.net1inc.net/cuttstree/clog.htm