Virus Warning

[Heliport]

Don't open any attachments to e-mails which contain any of the following words in the 'subject' line - they contain a virus.

"application"

"approved"

"details"

"movie"

"screensaver"

"Thank You!"


Some e-mail applications (eg pilot.pprune.org) have an option to send any e-mails containing prescribed words straight to trash.

Heliport

[MightyGem]

Oh well, one of the pitfalls of using Windoze I suppose.

[RDRickster]

Computer systems, much like helicopters, require preventive maintenance and component upgrades. The recent worm and variant programs that have brought down many systems in recent days, but this is easily prevented. In fact, Microsoft provided a patch for these vulnerabilities LAST MONTH!

There are very few "true" hackers that have the programming ability and inside knowledge to get into systems. Most malicious applications come from amateurs that download tools and scripts, and eventually put them into a program. They don't really understand them, but they can follow a cook book. There are many websites that post how to build virus for "educational" purposes (i.e. http://www.2600.com/). Here's how to get the AD's for your ship...

SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATED E-MAILS WHEN A NEW PATCH HAS BEEN RELEASED, YOU GET NOTIFIED:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet....ify.asp (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/notify.asp)

MANUALLY UPDATE YOUR SYSTEM FOR WINDOWS:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

1) Must use Internet Explorer to use this
2) Click on "Yes" if you see a security warning
3) Click "Scan" to see what you are missing
4) Load "Critical Updates" at a minimum, but you really should load everything available

MANUALLY UPDATE YOUR SYSTEM FOR OFFICE:

http://office.microsoft.com/productupdates/
1) Must use Internet Explorer to use this
2) Click on "Yes" if you see a security warning
3) Click "Scan" to see what you are missing
4) Load each option, ONE AT A TIME
5) You MUST have the original CD-ROM that contains the version of Microsoft Office you currently use; follow the on-screen directions

IF YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN INFECTED, HERE ARE FREE TOOLS TO FIX IT (YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE OR PURCHASE NORTON):

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcente....ol.html (http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.blaster.worm.removal.tool.html)

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcente....ol.html (http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.welchia.worm.removal.tool.html)

IF YOU HAVE A MAC, UNIX, OR LINUX SYSTEM:

Your Operating System vendor has their own tools available to keep your system up to date. MacIntosh has one of the best tools for that because it will update your application software at the same time you update your OS.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:

Even if you only use dial-up, you should have a personal firewall at a minimum + antivirus software. Windows XP has a basic version that you can turn on; it will work for your purposes. AOL Version 9.0 was released today, and it includes antivirus and firewall capability (for those with Windows 9x, Me, and 2000).

If you have broadband (Cable Modem, ISDN, IDSL, ADSL, SDSL, Satellite, Frame-Relay, Fractional T-1, or T-1), you need a more advanced packet-filtering STATEFUL firewall to protect your computer(s). There are a lot to choose from; just get one. Symantec has some nice packages that are inexpensive.

[Thomas coupling]

Whoa there rickster:eek:

Be VERY careful when you voluntarily download anything from Microsoft, unless it is absolutely essential. And you know what you are doing!
They (microsoft) have ways and means of monitoring anything that is going on if you are windows based. Inviting them through your front door is only speeding the whole process up.
For instance:
Our police force's software contractors refuse to download anything from their website, because of the security problems they pose!
Colleagues of mine who work in the trade also feel the same.
If you upload anything suspect (pirated) :ouch: which should have been purchased legally (any/most windows OS's) then this is how microsoft detects your settings - by you inviting them in with one of their "critical updates". My neighbour had his PC shut down with all sorts of problems when he did this -time and time again, and it was only after he removed these updates did the machine function properly again.
Be very careful.

[RDRickster]

Everything you say is true, and there are no guarantees. Most (not all) patches can be uninstalled if you have problems. Having said that, after it has been out in the public domain for a while - you should consider that patch safe. It is better to have your system maintained and up to date (unless you don't use your computer on the Internet at all). Finally, if your software is legal there is no cause for concern. When you perform online updates, your computer doesn't send that type of information you listed anyway (only system information).

Having said that, EVERYTHING you do is traceable to a certain extent. There are registry settings, hidden folders, and hidden logs on your computer. Every data packet you send contains hidden hexidecimal identifiers (even when posting on this forum) - kinda like the VIN on your car. If you use that car to commit a crime, it will be easier to trace and identify the owner (one of the reasons that caught the kid that developed the varient form of "blaster").

[SASless]

Thanks Rickster.....now I know who to address my computer questions to.....but the thought of all the hexagonal do-lollies being lodged at unknown addresses everytime I go on-line concerns me. I can just see having to explain what I was doing at a web site when I get some awful place because I miss-typed a word! It happens at work now....one of our guys was trying to get to the US Army Aviation Musuem at Fort Rucker and arrived at a Porn site. No harm done...but the explanations to the Thought Police (Computer Security) geeks was interesting. They finally accepted that information from the Fort Rucker site was acceptable for children. (Had to be...or there would not be so many US Army aviators in this world).