Hello List, I got this from another list I subscribe to and thought it would be useful here. VIRUS discussion is considered OFF TOPIC, if you feel you need to respond to this email, please, do it privately. Do not respond to the list. <<>>Viruses, how they spread.<<>> I am posting the following information in light of the latest version of the BadTrans worm/virus sweeping our Internet. Viruses do not go through RootsWeb's Unix system they come in from someone with email from you in their mailbox. The latest take on these virus, worms, trojans is that you do not need to open them to spread them, also, they do not look like an attachment The virus comes in as a double extension the here are some going around pics.doc.scr, humor.mp3.scr, fun.mp3.pif, docs.doc.pif. I think you can see now what I mean as a double extension. <<>>Viruses, what you can do as a list member.<<>> 1. Have an Anti-virus program and keep it updated. 2. Notify the list manager privately, off list, of who sent a virus. Do NOT forward the message... just the person's email address. 3. Do not get upset if temporarily removed from a list until your machine is clean and you re-subscribe or notify the list manager. <<>>Viruses, protecting your computer.<<>> Load an anti virus program either purchased at a computer store or downloaded from one of the websites such as: McAfee.com Makers of popular McAfee VirusScan product. http://www.mcafee.com/ Symantec Corporation - Norton http://www.symantec.com/ Free Anti-virus Protection! AVG Anti-virus system - Use our unique offer - AVG 6.0 Free Edition. http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.html **__Even if you have virus protection you need to update the dat files weekly to remain protected__.** Put it in your task scheduler. These files are usually downloaded from either McAfee or Norton, depending on which program you use. You are not covered if a virus was written after you updated your file. Here is the website at the Rootsweb Helpdesk with good links to put in your favorites... and the RW take on viruses, trojans, worms. http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/announce.html#virus Don't like catching the bug? Here is what you can do: Many viruses favor Outlook Express, other email programs not targeted so often are PEGASUS, EUDORA, LOTUS NOTES. PEGASUS & EUDORA have free email programs to download, LOTUS NOTES is generally used by industry, http://pmail.com http://www.eudora.com/ Viewing on the web first is another way to avoid downloading an attachment that may contain a virus. View on webmail at your server before downloading to your desktop. Anything with an attachment can be deleted there generally without spreading the infection to others and/or catching it yourself. Start at your ISP (Internet service provider) Home Page, often there is a link for picking up your email. Don't know it? Try inserting parts of your email address http://www.[instert the @xxx.com here].com (or net, etc.,). My own email address is [email protected] - my ISP home page is: http://www.cwnet.com from there I can find the link (today they have a good article posted as a security alert from CNN posted at: http://www.cwnet.com/index.php?page3Dsecurityalert.htm ) Sites accessible to anyone, anywhere are - Mail2Web - Check your Email From the Web - http://mail2web.com/ MailStart is the Technology Demo for WebBox - http://www.mailstart.com/ Pop3Now is a 128-bit encrypted free web-based email service that lets you access your own POP3 email box. http://www.pop3now.com/ Eudora Web-Mail - Free webmail by the makers of the popular email program. http://www.eudoramail.com/ Here is a discussion group if you need to get further information, or, if you want to check out their archives. Very high volume list. http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Internet_Help/VIRUS-DISCUSSION.html join the Virus Discussion Mailing list by sending the word Subscribe to [email protected] Enough said on the topic of viruses!! Please respond privately and not to the list. Sue Downhill List Manager David McKELVEY [email protected]