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BurmaNet: Technical Note--Advice on
- Subject: BurmaNet: Technical Note--Advice on
- From: strider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 22:19:00
Subject: BurmaNet: Technical Note--Advice on Viruses
You are receiving this note from BurmaNet because computer virus
infections seem to be increasing recently, at least among the Burma
Internet community. A virus was recently circulated on the Myanmar-list
and BurmaNet receives 1-3 infected files per day, mostly from
subscribers.
The virus that was recently circulated on Myanmar-list was a type that
hijacks the sender's email account and sends itself to all
addresses on their address book. These viruses are quite common and
people who use MS Windows, Outlook Express and Outlook are most
vulnerable. Most of these get into your computer when you
click on an attached file. There are a few viruses that target Outlook
and Outlook Express which can infect your computer without having to
click on an attached file.
Be wary of all attached files, especially those with a .exe or .vbs
ending. MS Word and Excel files are also something to be careful of
because macro viruses are sometimes hidden in them.
To avoid getting a virus, do several things:
1. In general, be paranoid about attachments, especially from people you
don't know. Even if you know the sender well, be careful if the subject
line is unusual (you may get emails from a boyfriend or girlfriend that
say "I love you" in the subject line, but the same subject line from
someone you work with is a tip off that a virus may be attached.
2. Install anti-virus software. Not all anti-virus software will do.
Make sure the program can screen attachments and emails (some just clean
viruses on your hard disk but don't prevent infection in the first
place).
3. Make sure that your anti-virus software is actually configured to
screen downloads and email. Many who have software that is capable of
screening viruses in email never actually configure it to do so. A bit
like putting a lock on your front door but never locking it.
4. UPDATE REGULARLY. Somewhere in the world, someone is writing a new
virus that will get around every existing anti-virus program. Newly
released viruses are the most dangerous and spread rapidly because
existing programs don't realize the new things are viruses. Anti-virus
programs work by comparing your email and downloads with with virus
definition lists. A virus definition list is essentially a compilation
of little bits of every known virus. If something you are downloading
matches a known virus, the anti-virus program blocks or kills it. To
stay safe, you MUST keep your anti-virus program updated by downloading
and installing virus definition lists every 1-3 months. The lists are
free and will be available on the website of the company that makes your
anti-virus software.
Strider
For more information on viruses, see:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.asp
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