Unfortunately we live in a time and place where some people consider it clever to create viruses and worms which can damage data or just create a nuisance. The Rootsweb server intercepts all email with an attachment and bounces it so no attachments EVER make it to the lists. However, some folks have expressed a reluctance to participate in the next ten days and that is perfectly understandable. If everyone stops posting until after the holidays you won't miss anything. If something is posted you can always read it in the archives. Wise folks have an antivirus program such as Norton or McAfee installed and turned out. You should be going to your manufacturer's site and downloading updates to your virus definitions regularly. I used to do it once a week. Now I do it once a day. I run the program every day at 1 a.m. automagically while I sleep. It runs automagically every time I boot also. I have enabled a feature which scans all email before it is placed in my inbox. You might not need to do this -- I get several hundred emails a day due to various commitments -- but it can't hurt either. Many folks are concerned about email in general so I am sharing what information we have. There are two common methods at the moment. One method is attaching a file. The sender probably does NOT know the file is attached so knowing the sender does not mean it is safe. Until this nonsense calms down, hopefully after the first of the year, do not open ANY attachments. Technically they probably need to be an executable file but to be safe don't open any. Advise your friends you won't open them and tell them to save safe goodies for mid January. Here is a list of the known names which the worm virus can use when it sends the attachment: >g-zilla.exe, >cooler3.exe, >cooler1.exe, >copier.exe, >video.exe, >pirate.exe, >goal1.exe, >hog.exe, >party.exe, >saddam.exe, >monica.exe, >boss.exe, >farter.exe, >cheeseburst.exe, >panther.exe, >theobbq.exe, >goal.exe, >baby.exe, >bboy.exe, >cupid2.exe, >fborfw.exe, >casper.exe, >irnglant.exe, >gadget.exe Another method is to send a link -- the unsuspecting recipient clicks on the link and it installs the virus. Simple solution: don't click on any links you receive in email for now. If you think it is a valid link write it down and type it in your browser later. Just don't click on it. A good site for virus [and hoax] information is [do NOT click on this link!]: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html I know McAfee has one too but the address I had is not correct. Cheryl Rothwell LoganCty@mindspring.com Central Illinois Regional Coordinator - ILGenWeb Project Logan County, ILGenWeb> http://www.rootsweb.com/~illogan/loindex.htm Logan County mailing list> ILLOGAN-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing mailing list> DOWNING-L-request@rootsweb.com Harding mailing list> HARDING-L-request@rootsweb.com Downing query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Downing Lucas query board> http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/FamilyAssoc/Lucas