Hi Everyone, If you already know this stuff don’t take it personally, do feel free to ignore it, and do feel free to delete it. I pretty much emptied the address book into the blind copy column (sort of a semi-automatic form of what the VBS worms do automatically) because I figured that having written it, someone might benefit. With all the excitement about the “I Love You Virus”, I thought now might be a good time to express some thoughts that may be obvious and some that may not be, including the most sure-fired way we know to prevent this from happening to your computer. Hopefully this is not too late, and it isn ’t if you haven’t yet opened the attachment or one of its insidious imitators. And they are insidious because the code is readily available to hundreds (thousands?) of hackers who can easily copy it, change it, disguise it, and send it out with incredibly tempting subject lines. That said, I’d state the obvious. Much of the excitement, fear, and panic is the result of hype by the media who have been latching onto stories like this for the last several months in a well-intentioned effort to scare us into paying attention to the problem. Still it isn’t something any of us wants happening to our computer. The first method to avoid the problem is to be very careful about opening attachments. Specifically don’t open anything with the suffix “.vbs” as in “I Love You.vbs” or “very funny.vbs”. That is what creates the script in windows that does all the damage. Second, update your virus software. That is something that should be getting checked weekly anyhow. The only problem is that the virus software makers sometimes get the updates out after the damage is done. They freely admit, that in the case of this particular worm, they can’t design anti-virus software that will recognize all the possible future mutations of this particular worm. The most reliable way to prevent this or similar problems from affecting your computer is to disable the feature that allows it. Most people have no need for the Windows Scripting Host, which is included mostly for automating certain tasks in a large corporate setting. Regardless, it is easy to disable and just as easy to enable later if you find you need it. With it disabled you won’t have to worry about somebody sending you something that sets windows off on a self-destructive script-writing binge. Excellent instructions can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.f-secure.com/virus-info/u-vbs/ Good luck and feel free to ask questions. -Rick Cram- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substancenot soap-boxingplease! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright fraudsis used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html <A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
