And if you haven't read the "Virus infected Users" message at the top of the forums, do so ASAP)

I quote this from it, for discussion purposes:

1. If you aren't running anti-virus software --- get it.
2. If you don't update it weekly, do it.
3. Don't open attachments such as executables, batch files, pif files, and screen savers. Blame yourself when your computer gets infected when you do this.
4. Switch to email software that isn't attacked by viruses. Microsoft email products are EXTREMELY vunerable and should not be used. I highly recommend Eudora at www.eudora.com.

Re: 1)

Anti-Virus software can only work before a bug attacks your machine. Norton (as an example) will not install if it detects an already present virus on your machine during the install process.

The updates cost a grand total of about $3 per year for continued up to date virus profiles, based on the latest garbage that hackers from all over the world launch whenever they think they have something nobody else thought of yet.

-And sometimes they're right - nobody thought of the loophole (vulnerability) that they exploit. Consequently a new rash of damage breaks out...

Hackers spend all of their time educating themselves on code. DO YOU?

Bottom line: It's worth 3 bucks per year. (I think that covers #2 also)

3) Viruses are based on code. Code can be any of quite a few languages your PC interprets at a rate of 133 to 18,000 million bits per second. It only takes a short string of code (Less than the number of bits used, say - to load one of the "Emoticons" to the left of the text on your screen for example) to malisciously infect or damage your PC so deeply that the hard drive cannot be salvaged except by a thorough professional.

Such code can be embedded a number of ways, but is commonly sent as an "Attached File" with an E-Mail from someone you don't know. The reason for the bugs that use YOUR OWN ADDRESS BOOK to spam out more replica's of themselves, is to take advantage of people who know each other thinking: "OH! It's from BOB!!! It must be okay..."

DON'T BELIEVE IT.

-It's a set up!

I don't accept attachments PERIOD. Not unless I have:

A) Recieved them through "HOTMAIL.COM" -Which keeps itself clean using a commercial version of McAffee Anti-V that automatically scans all attachments.

B) Identified the file type by the suffix.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES do I accept anything with a "*****" suffix!

I don't accept anything using a ".PIF", ".BAT", or ESPECIALLY ".DOC" suffix either. And the reason for including ".DOC" is because there is a version of virus that exploits the "MACRO" function in MSWORD documents to get at the address files in particular...

(IT took down Microsoft itself for 3 days when it first was launched - Remember the "HAPPY" virus?)

And finally - I can recommend Hotmail, I think. For the above mentioned reason: They scan traffic on their system.

But that doesn't mean an executable file cannot be attached. Take a bit of (the hard way!) educated advice. Attachments should always be expected, scanned, and identified. Never open a suprise "GIFT"!

~It just might be one that "Keeps on giving..."


~Wolf

 

greywolf, that is excellent advice there bud, but i wouldn't trust hotmails virus scan. just don't opne any attachments. i don't trust the hotmail virus scanner. i scan my pc twice every friday. i don't know why, the virus scan just does. and always update your virus scanner! trust me. i had a few viruses it has caught. one espcally through msn messenger

 

ICK!!!!

Messenger sucks....

(So does the Yahoo version, and ICQ is garbage.....)

IMHO

 

i agree with you man. icq bites. i only use it cause maybe someone from this site might message me. msn i use to talk to my buds around winnipeg and the odd FTE user. never use yahoo chat and never will

 

>ICK!!!!
>
>Messenger sucks....
>
>(So does the Yahoo version, and ICQ is garbage.....)
>
>IMHO


Speaking of Messaging

Have you checked your snail mail lately Wolf?


[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]

[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG

[font color=green]Do You Need To Decode Your 78 Truck Data Plate?
[/font

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/FordTruckCodes.html

[font color=red]If New Ford Parts Is What You're Cravin',
Then Buy Them HERE,At Motorhaven![/font]



[font color=green]Please Feel Free To Visit My Website.[/font]

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html

[font color=red]
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]


[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V [/font]

 

I haven't seen anything yet except for bills. It must be delayed somewhere...

Once it arrives, I have something I'm planning to send to your return address that I think you'll like a lot.

 

>I don't accept attachments PERIOD. Not unless I have:
>
>A) Recieved them through "HOTMAIL.COM" -Which keeps itself
>clean using a commercial version of McAffee Anti-V that
>automatically scans all attachments.

I don't recieve anything through hotmail.com. I have gotten so much spam from them that I nuked the whole domain quite awhile back, then added aol and a few others just for good measure

alanscott

FTE Moderator