I appear to have received a virus originating from this list somehow, it was associated with a Shaw file, it came through as a setup.pif. Just a precaution. Rick Leland

Discussion of the TROJ_BADTRANS.A virus continues on several lists. Without permission and with profuse apologies for the off-topic message, I submit the following in the hopes of putting this one to bed and maybe preventing these problems in the future. Also, I am submitting this to several Lists so you may well get more than one copy. Again, my apologies - hopefully the results will outweigh the offense. IF YOU MUST RESPOND TO THIS MESSAGE, DO IT TO ME PRIVATELY AT PRSMITH@PDQ.NET OR TO THE LISTOWNER - NOT TO THE LIST! First, you DID NOT and CAN NOT get infected by a virus, worm, trojan or any other nasty via this or any other list. It only APPEARED to come from the list - it's a tricky virus. So you got infected? It's a shame you attempted to open an attachment when you weren't absolutely certain of the contents. This virus could easily have overwritten your fat tables and boot sector rendering your hard drive useless. In that light, the virus author has done you a favor. There are two lessons to be learned here: First, your ONLY certain defense is regular, reliable backups (including off-site in case of fire.) Second, your virus protection program is only good against KNOWN viruses. Neither Norton or McAfee had anything on this virus for two days AFTER I became aware of it. Also, these programs will do absolutely no good unless you have the latest .dat files. Have you updated them today? Third, you can not trust ANY attachment regardless of the source UNLESS the source has verified the content and purpose of the attachment to your satisfaction. Then it's safe to open the attachment ONLY if you have successfully completed lesson one. Info and cleanup instructions for the TROJ_BADTRANS.A virus can be found at http://vil.mcafee.com/dispVirus.asp?virus_k=99069& McAfee, Norton and others maintain web sites where you can read about new viruses - book mark one or more of them for quick reference if need be. Here are some URLs: http://vil.mcafee.com/default.asp? http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/vinfodb.html If you are/were infected, forward this info to anyone in your address book who might have gotten an infected email from "you" sent by the virus. Even if you weren't infected, there are some valuable lessons to be learned from this virus. I hope my post has helped a bit and, again, I apologize for the off-topic post. (Hopefully I don't get into too much trouble {shrug}.) Now back to our latest brick wall! -- Happy Hunting!! -- Paul Houston, TX, USA ICQ #73314929 Researching: VA - WHITE,LIPSCOMB,HILL,JOHNSON,SAUNDERS, TALBOT,TATE,EVANS NC - SMITH, BOSWELL, RHODES, CAPEHART,MORRIS, MARSHE, BRITT,SHAW View my American Ancestry at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~paulrsmith **************** FREE Credit Card Referral Program. Quick money AND residual, lifetime income! CHECK IT OUT !! http://smithecomservices.tripod.com ***************************************

Please...no more discussion on Virus' or virus warnings. I thought long and hard before I posted what I did, and I hope I wasn't wrong to do it. I didn't want to start a virus dialogue on the list. Thanks everyone! Anne