Another VIRUS ???

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Everett Cox
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Joined: 13 Jul 1999 12:01 am
Location: Marengo, OH, USA (deceased)

Another VIRUS ???

Post by Everett Cox »

Two weeks ago, I posted a virus warning about a "purported" security update from Microsoft.

I just got another email that looks to possibly contain the same virus. The earlier attempt was detected by my Pc-cillin antivirus program. This latest was not. The earlier infected email message was much more sophisticated than the one I just got so maybe they goofed on the attached file.

In any case, Microsoft DOES NOT SEND updates as email attachments. Be wary if you get an email with an attachment that says it's from MS. --Everett
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Bobby Lee
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Post by Bobby Lee »

I never open any attachments. Period. And I don't even open emails that look like spam from the sender's name, title and/or the recipient's name.

I delete 2/3rds of my email without even opening it.

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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)
Ed Meadway
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Post by Ed Meadway »

A while ago someone posted how to prevent messages from opening up by themselves. You had to actually double click on them to open each one. Does anyone remember how. Ed
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Bobby Lee
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Post by Bobby Lee »

Outlook Express shows a "preview" of emails by default. There's an option to turn off that "feature". Use it! You don't want to "preview" your email - the very act can run an Active X object (an iffy Microsoft "invention") that can trash your system.

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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic) Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)
Ed Meadway
Posts: 57
Joined: 10 Jan 1999 1:01 am
Location: Western New York

Post by Ed Meadway »

I just found it under mail\view\layout\(uncheck) preview pane. Thanks............Ed
Leroy Riggs
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Post by Leroy Riggs »

b0b, I can't seem to find the "Preview" option to turn it off. Could you help me?

Thx,

L...
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Jon Light (deceased)
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Post by Jon Light (deceased) »

Leroy--I've got Outlook Express 5. Go to View, click layout, under "Preview Pane", uncheck Show Preview Pane. That should do it.
Leroy Riggs
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Location: Looney Tunes, R.I.P.

Post by Leroy Riggs »

Got it. Thanks.
erik
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Post by erik »

My version doesn't allow me to alter the preview pane. However, if i go to Tools then Options then Read, i can uncheck a box that says "Automatically download message when viewed in preview pane". I had unchecked this long ago assuming it will protect me. Think it will?<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by erik on 01 April 2002 at 03:43 AM.]</p></FONT>
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John Gretzinger
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Post by John Gretzinger »

Erik -

As long as you don't open or preview the message you are OK. I'd suggest either getting the latest version of Outlook Express (if that's what you are using) or an alternate email program (eudora or Star Office) if you are unsure.

jdg

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erik
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Post by erik »

I *do* preview. It's a default. But according to them it is not downloaded. So the question should be; What is the difference between "preview" and "download"?
Ed Meadway
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Joined: 10 Jan 1999 1:01 am
Location: Western New York

Post by Ed Meadway »

Would it work if we go to the location where the newly downloaded (unread, unopened) messages are stored and did a virus scan before opening and reading them? I'm sure it depends on if your anti-virus program picks them up, but if it did this method might catch one before.....
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