Here is a message I got from another list server . . . that may apply here also in part . . . *********************************** a dweller on the path by the hedge . . . *********************************** your friend in Christ; Ken Hedgpeth ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephens, Larry V" <stephenl@INDIANA.EDU> To: <ROOTS-AND-OTHERS-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU> Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2000 7:48 AM Subject: [ROOTS-AND-OTHERS-L] the Kak worm/virus - from the listowner > Several people have reported their anti-virus filters have picked up the Kak > worm/virus in list mail. > > Listserv has put filters in place and I've tried to limit the spread of > viruses and worms by disallowing attachments. > > But, some of the smarter ones don't need to be "run" or opened, per se. > > We're doing everything we can on this end to prevent them, but people with > nothing better to do keep trying to harm you. > > * Don't open attachments from anywhere unless you know who sent it and > expect it (don't forget some of these programs use your address book to send > out mail). Even then it's safer to save it to disk and let your virus > program check it - and that's not 100% safe. > * If you email program has a preview feature, disable it. If you can > tell it to not run scripts, do so. > * Keep your virus software up-to-date. > * BACK UP, BACK UP, BACK UP! > > If you are not backing up your data files on a regular basis then you're > being foolish - it's that simple. If it's not a virus it may be lightning, > or theft, or fire, or plain old mechanical failure. > > I know budgets are tight, but buying a computer without having the ability > to back up the data is like buying a car with no brakes: you can use it but > it's not smart to do so. Zip disks, ORB drives, CD burners, tape units all > make good backup devices. > > * Write down all the programs you use. You don't need to back those up > because they need to be installed from scratch, anyway. But, you need to > have an idea what you're using and be able to find the original CDs or > disks. (You do need to backup any patches you download, though.) > * Back up your data! > > If you think you don't have time to back it up, ask if you have time to > recreate it. > > Have a good day. > > > > Larry Stephens > Office of Risk Management > Indiana University >