Basically all viruses are self inflected! In theory one can write one that will infect without requiring the user to activate it, but it has never been done!!!

A virus can be transmitted via email without the user being aware only IF you open attachments.

I have “heard” that a virus can be transmitted via the preview pane but I doubt that. If true, wouldn’t ever virus wannabe use that path???

AV software is false security. If there is a truly new virus, AV won’t have the definition until AFTER it has been out there infecting PCs. The LOVE virus is a good example.

Love hit Europe on a Monday early AM. It was on CNN news by 7AM Eastern, so you could assume everyone in the US was warned. It took the AV people two days to issue a definition for this one. – BTW, I am going on memory here, so if anyone see a discrepancy, please correct me.

Love was a stupid and poorly written virus that should have never gotten more than a couple of users at best. Instead it spread like wildfire. EVERY user infected, did it to themselves!!! Still do, it surfaces from time to time.

Don’t open ANY attachment in email. This is especially true if it comes from someone you know and trust!!! Very few receive a virus from someone they don’t know!

Always save it to HD and run the virus scanner on it. Even then, do you really need to open it???

If it ends an extension that can execute, exe, vbs, etc. Do Not open it ever! Note there are a lot of obscure extensions it can hide in. Also some will imbed a ‘safe’ extension in the name like, “Naked Wife.jpg.Pictures.vbs”.

The filename appeals to a portion of anatomy that you should not be thinking with. The ‘.jpg’ is to put you in the comfort zone. jpgs are harmless, right? The third extension ‘.Pictures’ is padding to confuse you, and maybe run off the screen so you don’t see the end of it. Of course the ‘.vbs’ is the killer!

If others have any honest tips and/or corrections, please post them. If it is only a myth, please don't post it.

Viruses are executable program code that must be run on your machine in order to cause damage and spread further. The ways I know that viruses might be obtained and run are:

1/ E-mail attachments
2/ Putting an unknown disk into your drive
3/ Download from the web

There are other sources and methods I am sure but the essential ingredient here is getting and obtaining a new program to run on your machine.


There are many different types of viruses and many people become infected before a definition comes out thru the antivirus folks. Your antivirus program is a good line of defense against known viruses and has some ability (called heuristics) to intercept and figure out that some program is doing something that is virus like activity ( changing your registry, formatting your hard drive, deleting system files, etc.)

Consider yourself as the first line of defense and your antivirus program as the second line of defense. If you knew there was a major outbreak of a disease in a certain country it would be wise to get a vaccine against it if one existed but also wise to not travel there.



Joe

Is there someone out there that can answer the part of the question as to whether you can get a virus by opening a message from another dell talker via the dell talk forum?

It is possible to get a virus from any web page.

Java and Active X controls are run from within your browser whenever those particular programs are present on the web page you visit. You don't even know they are running unless you recognize them. Sometimes you might see the message "Java starting" if your machine is slow enough.

However, those who create viruses are out to make headlines. They want their "product" spread so fast and so worldwide that they use e-mail as their main venue. If a program from a web page were to execute and infect your machine it would only affect those few people who accessed that particular page. Virus makers want to infect millions of people and not just a few.

Also, a virus from a web page would be much easier for investigators to track down the culprit so you can see that virus makers might try other means.





Joe

Message Edited on 07/29/01 01:12PM by joecapp

Just a couple of comments, Jim. Although your general comments are on-the-mark, there are a couple of things that are not entirely accurate.

There are certain strains of virii that are code-embedded and require no attachment for infection..."BubbleBoy" and "KAK" for example. Although Microsoft provided a patch to cover this vulnerability some time ago, KAK remains on many "Top 10" list.

The other thing is, utilizing the Preview Pane in Outlook Express is tantamount to opening the message. If you are not protected against the above strains, you most definitely will be infected by simply viewing the message if, HTML is enabled. Additionally, these virii can also be transmitted via Internet News groups as well.



Dan

gothummingbird...

1) No, that is a link or, hyperlink. It will direct you to another site. Although it is possible that you could be directed to another site running unsafe ActiveX or Java Script, normally the other features (included in your browser as well as your A/V) will provide protection from this type of threat.

2) With real-time scanning (NAV Auto-Protect) enabled, downloads should be scanned during the download process...however, as an extra precaution, when the download is complete you can right-click on the download and from the Context Menu that appears select, "Scan with Norton Anti-Virus". Only the file in question will be scanned and it only takes a moment. Even then, there is another layer of protection...the file will be automatically scanned by Norton when you try to execute it, provided of course, that Auto-Protect is enabled.

3) I don't think you need to be concerned with the MS Messenger pop-ups. Although it is capable of sending files, this requires approval on the receiver end to accept or reject the file...(you are automatically prompted for this). I've never heard of any virus problems resulting from the text messages sent and received in Messenger.

Just so you understand...all Anti-Virus are configured of different layers of protection. It is these layers that affords the degree of protection. Most consist of at least a real-time scanning feature (running constantly in the background), a manual scan feature (where you can manually configure and scan your entire computer) and, a POP3 email scan that actually scans your email as it is being downloaded. Some (but, not all) also have other features to detect dangerous ActiveX or JAVA content on web pages. It is this "layering" of detection methods combined with a liberal dose of common sense that affords you protection. I hope this answers your question(s) and puts you at ease.

Enjoy your computer...if you keep your A/V current, use it as you should and, practice safe computing there's no reason to worry about these things unduly.



Dan

(1) For instance, is it an attachment when someone from Dell Talk says for more information or pictures click "here". Or, is that just a link and links are safe for my computer? I don't think I have ever had an email with an attachment.

(2) I do not know when to ask Norton to scan my downloaded programs. Is it too late when I see the install icon on my desktop? Or, is that the time I go to Norton before I double click to install?

(3) I am most concerned with the pop up MSN Instant Messenger. It automatically opens the email in my lower right hand corner without giving me a chance to look at the full address. I gather Norton starts working after I open the email and not before?

Thanks for your help. This is one lesson I am hoping I do not have to learn the hard way.

Nanette


Purchase Date: 7-15-01
Dimension 8100 1.7
Windows 2000
512 MG
Promise ATA contoller
DiamondMax Plus 60
Pioneer Slotloading DVD 16x
Plextor Plexwriter 40x
Nvidia GeForce3
Eizo Naneo L330 LCD 15
Office XP

Adding on:
2nd DiamondMax Plus 60
Philips Acoustic Edge
Klipsch Speakers 5.1
Win XP

Dan: Thank you for your input. I make no claim to know it all! Now all I have to do is write this stuff down.

Joecapp: You added some good stuff here too.

Thought this would be a lively thread. That hummingbird sure knows how to stir things up! Good thread.