TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2002-05 > 1020569055


From: "Kirk Ransom" <>
Subject: RE: OT [TMG] Virus or what?? HTML
Date: Sat, 4 May 2002 22:24:24 -0500
In-Reply-To: <00b401c1f359$0b4b2ec0$f38df243@reed>


>
> I am using Outlook Express Version 5, and, like Beth, I do not
> find a place
> where I can only show text. Perhaps someone can shed more light on this.
> Please.
>
I guess there is not really a way to set recieve and display in text only.

There is now way to 'carefully' open an email that has a virus. One double
click on an attachment is all it takes. A preview or print is a open. But
there are some things you can do to check the message out first.

If an attachment is part of the message, always right click on the
attachment and select 'Save As'. DON'T SAVE IT - this is just to see its
full name. This will show if the attachment has two extensions. By
default, Windows platforms have 'do not show common extensions' enabled. So
an attachment that shows on the screen as "MyPhoto.jpg" may actually be
"MyPhoto.jpg.exe". The last extension is hidden and the attachment is not
really a picture but an executable to launch the virus. Many formats that
attachment arrive as - screen savers - .scr for example are by themselves
executables and can launch a virus on open. While html formatted messages
may have to connect to a remote site and retrieve the virus, it can be done
in a couple of seconds. The minda virus was only 105 or 147 bytes in size.


To make receiving email more safe do three things:

1st. Use an antivirus program, pay your money to keep it up to date and
update it at least weekly.

2nd. Run the Windows Update feature weekly when you are on line. Microsoft
issues 'security updates' to fix holes. This is really very important. And
if you have never done it do it several times until it reports no critical
updates needed. THEN go back and on the Windows Update page, select the
Office Update link in the lower left and update Office applications.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of Windows Update. DO IT. It will
prevent many worms and viruses that use scripting features of Windows and
Office from running.

and if you want more security:

3rd. Outlook and Outlook Express. Under Tools, Options, look for the
Security tab and place mail in the Restricted Zone, rather the Internet
Zone. Also in Internet Explorer, Tools, Internet Options, set it to the
Restricted Zone also. This disables most scripts that run in the background
including those in html email messages.

Kirk

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