Viruses in PBM - some simple advice.

mepbmlist
#1

Hi everyone,

Sam here, Harlequin web/internet guy.

Over the last week we've had a massive increase in viruses coming in by
email. I'm not an expert, so if there are any professional virus hunters on
these lists who can give better advice, please do so.

The US Legends list had a virus on it, lets try and keep these lists nice
and clean.

For now, can I just suggest that you all take the following steps, and
perhaps you'll avoid a nasty mess :slight_smile:

These relate to PC users.

* Right Click My computer. Explore. View>Options
    Clear any tick in the box marked Hide DOS extensions - this will stop
you being taken in by an attachment called 'Interesting.txt.vbs' which
would look like a txt file.

* Click the File Types tab.
    Find VBS and remove it. This will stop you from running virtual basic
programs, including many virus files.

* Never click on an attachment you don't trust. Even if it is from your Mum.
:slight_smile:

* Every suspect email I've received has not had anything in the main message
body.

Obviously consider getting antivirus software...

Sam

···

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#2

Hi all.

I think the advice Sam gave out is sound.
I'll just add a few hints of my own.

* As Sam said, NEVER trust any attachment/file you receive and don't
know what it is. Especially not anything with filenames
like .pif, .scr, .exe, .vbs

* My second advice is not recommended for anyone with a weak heart.
But you "should" be able to safely check out a suspicious file in a
plain editor (eg Notepad) if you first rename the file to .txt
Remember though, that it will be on your own risk!

* Finally a piece of advice if you think, or know, that you did
execute a virus (sometimes you kind of click on things before you
think...). Don't turn your computer off. Disconnect it from any
network/modem connection, and leave it alone.
Then get help in one form or another.
The reason for not turning it off is that some viruses are very mean
and you might not be able to start it again. Also, some viruses makes
the most harm when the computer is first restarted.

/Johan