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Date sent: Fri, 3 May 2002 08:51:47 -0600 Send reply to: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network <[log in to unmask]> From: nkporter <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: More on Computer Virus/non PD To: [log in to unmask] > Good Morning, > > Questions: All the virus talk has started to worry me. > > 1. Is PIEN more or less targeted than other lists? Does any one have a > basis for comparison? > > 2. What about Mac users? Am I being too confident that the virus/worm > targets do not include Macs? And do Macintosh users on the list have > detection and correction software? > > Nancy P. I don't think that PIEN is "targeted" any more than other Lists. This particular virus (as most others) is not actually distributed through the List itself, but it gets sent out from the mailboxes of individual members who have been careless and have executed the program which has then contaminated their inboxes. What usually happens is that a person gets the virus in the form of an attachment (and does not have the proper "protection" which will identify and quarantine the virus). The person then executes the virus program which then attaches itself to messages already present in that person's mailbox (that is why the re-sends appear to come from listpeople). Then, the next time that the infected person signs on, the virus begins sending itself (attached to old messages in the mailbox) to every address present in the person's address book. These viruses are primarily designed to affect people who use Outlook or Outlook Express. They can also be passed on through e-mail which is sent in HTML (Web language) form; and that is why one should never open any attachments unless they have been virus-scanned first; and why one should always post in Plain Text only (and avoid the "fancy" HTML postings which some of the mailers allow). You need to set your mailer (especially if you use Outlook or Outlook Express) to "Send Plain Text Only". I personally refuse to use Outlook or Outlook Express, and use Pegasus Mail for Windows, a very powerful (and free for downloading) mailer which is relatively "immune" to viruses. Most of the viruses are designed for Windows computers, but Macs and other machines can get infected with their own type of viruses as well. The only solution is to purchase and use (getting the updates frequently) a good anti-virus program like Norton or McAfee. Most of them allow you to automate the process of scanning and updating and so, once you have the program running, you don't have to do anything but clean out your "Quarantine" occasionally. It is insane to be online without a good virus program running. It is like unsafe sex. Best, Bob ********************************************** Robert A. Fink, M. D., F.A.C.S., P. C. 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, California 94704-2636 Telephone: 510-849-2555 FAX: 510-849-2557 WWW: http://www.rafink.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] "Ex Tristitia Virtus" ********************************************* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn