On 21 May 2000, at 11:34, Marjorie L. Moorefield wrote:

> I was reading the other day, that only those who are using Outlook Express,
> or MS Outlook as their mailers, are being hit.
>

That is essentially correct as these worms usually run a script that only
*works* on PCs running MS Windows 95 or 98 and using MS Outlook
Express as their mailer.  Helen Johns uses Microsoft Outlook Express.

>
> I use Eudora 4.3.1 and did not receive those attachments, even though
> I read all 4 of Helen's posts.
>

Oh, you received 'em all right Marjorie... But, if you read them with
Eudora and didn't open them in your browser and don't have MS Outlook
on your machine in any case then the script embedded in the HTML
source code of Helen John's messages would be *transparent* to you.

>
> Also, there is the possibility that your ISP has put something on their
> network to stop it.
>

Wishful thinking I believe.

>
> For all of our sakes, I hope its the latter.
>
> I'm just guessing, I know there are people out there with more knowledge
> about computer inner workings than I have.
> So I trust you'll tell all of us.
>

Yep, just did.  More below...

>
> As Ever,
> Marjorie,
> just another retired reference librarian with PD
> 67/12

Charlie and Connie both have Outlook Express 5.0 as their e-mail
client. Sylvia uses Mozilla 4.72 and Win 98. Lynne uses Mozilla 4.51
and Win 95.  All of them sent plain text messages to the List.

No multi-part = no HTML, no script, no worm.

The *worm* is contained in a script embedded in the HTML source
code of multi-part messages. When you open these messages,
you *run* the script.

Multi-part message = *could* contain a dangerous script in HTML.

No multi-part = no HTML, no script, no worm.

That is why Dan Parker said...

"If everyone switched their e-mail programs to "text only,
no viruses would be transmitted through the listserv.
This service won't be good for anybody, if it causes
computers to crash.  If you are recklessly slinging
computer viruses around, you are not being a good
neighbor.  Today, luckily, my Norton Anti-virus software
again stopped four virus-loaded files from this listserv,
and that is very scary.  What if a brand new virus gets
through before I download the latest anti-virus
definition?

If you don't know how to make your e-mails text only,
please find out how."

AMEN

New worms and virus's will get through before we
download the latest anti-virus. (They can't make
an anti-virus until some folks report a *virus*).

My defense is that I don't use Outlook Express, (I
use Pegasus) and I never open multi-part messages
with my browser (default reader is set as Pegasus).

So far I've been lucky...

:-) Best regards to all of you ............ murray

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