Virus Alert

JATO_RaT · Jul 28, 2001

Alan, I suspect some of the vulnerability that Outlook Express exhibits is related to the number of folks that use it versus Navigator/Communicator. Since the virus typically attacks a memory device such as a hard drive to do permanent damage, they are as I understand written to simply come through the front door, whether that door be a email program or through a removable media like a floppy. It was once thought a virus had to come in attachment form when a email program was used, however, now I understand they can be done without even opening an attachment. I have a used the internet since 1986 (pre graphics), yesterday was the first virus I ever received. Norton utilities immediately quarrentined it and the "Snow White" worm was dumped. I think that things like this will be more common in the future as we find the net going into all stretches of the world and folks with an attitude take to doing what they feel neccessary to get attention. Get that virus working, Rat...

Anonymous Poster · Jul 30, 2001

Outlook is supposed to be more susceptable to hacking/viruses, hence the reason I don't even use it.

I agree that it's superior and more versatile than Netscape, but in the end, if all you're doing is sending a basis message
and/or attachment, I just use Netscape and have never had
any problems.

My same philosophy with all software...if it works, no need to
change. I still use Wordperfect 6.0 for DOS and Quattro Pro
4.0 for DOS. The only reason I even use Windows is because
of Internet access and my tax programs!

woodstock · Jul 30, 2001

Snowman,
If I was you best friend and sent you email with attachments on a weekly basis and one day you had an email message from me that said
I am sending you this to get your opinion.
I will talk to you later.

I bet you would open it without out thinking twice.
Bingo you just got the virus.

Fortunately for me I didn't open it at work.

I sent it to my home computer and then deleted it.

Once at home I opened it, nothing seemed to happen. The next day I realized I had the scam32 virus.

Just because your computer doesn't cough because you use netscape doesn't mean it didn't get infected because it does and will reside there until detected and ddeleated with an antivirus.

I've now taken one more step to prevent transmitting such a virus.
I copied all my email addresses to a word file and cut and paist to send an email. This way a virus has no mailing list to work from.