[ale] OT: Is MS Outbreak really this dangerous?

[Geoffrey]

Greg wrote:
> ok, this only works if one *doesn't* open them up and can judge from the
> subject line if it is infected or not, otherwise it is moot.  Since most
> modern email virii send out the virus using an infected address book, this
> defeats any humanly possible way to stop a virus.

Most humans could install Linux. :)

> Your bosses email could
> be the vector for deadly virii - and so you aren't going to open an email
> from your boss ?? Yeah, right.  It doesn't take a lot of human engineering
> to get a majority of folks to open up stuff.  If you don't even have MS
> scripting host installed it helps immeasurably in defeating a lot of stuff.
> Use an AV program that checks mail (or even 2 such programs) and it will
> stop a lot of stuff.  Keep your AV updated.  Use an AV program that doesn't
> let executables run unchecked or unnoticed.  Use a program that won't let
> Outlook execute stuff and it helps also.

Or use Linux.

> 
> You might want to ask your friendly sys admins why aren't they using a hot
> shot commercial AV mail filter at the mail gate to stop this stuff from
> entering the system ?  Relying on users to do their job is really not a good
> idea - yes, users can & *should* do their part, but I wouldn't rely on it
> too much.
> 
> Nothing on my Outlook 2000 executes - it always asks me first and I do use
> the preview pane.  Of course, you could use Outlook running on Wine/Win4Lin
> to take care of it, but then I would probably just use Evolution on Linux.

Ah, there you go. :)

> There are several other non-Outlook clients that are  not VB based that
> would let you escape from Outlook induced virii.  Becky! I think is one.  A
> Google search would find many others.
> 
> 
> Greg

-- 
Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric at 3times25.net

The latest, most widespread virus?  Microsoft end user agreement.
Think about it...

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