Virus warning

[amazingtrade]

I know this is not HIFI but I thought more people will read it here. I woke up this morning and recieved 8 new emails, 3 of which where viruses containing EXE files.

One of them was titled Microsoft System Security Update, it also had a couple of text attachments and an EXE file called Q8555.exe. The sender was mgxryhogwk_yvrfbe@newsletters.net.

I also got another which pretended to be an undelivered mail, this also contained an attachment.

I know this has been said 10000 times before but people are still coming to me asking for help when they get viruses so please make sure you do the following:

1) Make sure you do not download attachments from unkown sources, if the files end in .pif, .exe, .com, and .scr they are most likely be to viruses.

2) Make sure you use a good firewall, (zone alarm is ok) otherwise you are prime target for viruses such as MSBLAST

3)Make sure you have an up todate virus checker and update it regulary.

4) If you are using Windows XP then make you download the updates as often as possable. (you can always revert the changes if it does somthing nasty)

Finally I bought a router yesterday so my PC is no longer the central server in the house, my router is now the gateway to the intenret and it also has a built in firewall, these are very good for avoiding viruses, they work much better for internet sharing than a proxy server does.

Sorry if this is obvious for most of you, I will be posting this message on other forums as well.

 

[amazingtrade]

Also the Microsoft email read:

Microsoft Consumer

this is the latest version of security update, the "September 2003, Cumulative Patch" update which resolves all known security vulnerabilities affecting MS Internet Explorer, MS Outlook and MS Outlook Express as well as three new vulnerabilities. Install now to protect your computer. This update includes the functionality of all previously released patches.

The bad english should also give it away that it is not from Microsoft and is a hoaks.

 

[lowrider]

I got all of those too, they got McAffe working like crazy... :MILD:

 

[PBirkett]

People who write viruses should be castrated, and made to eat their own testicles along with their penis, mashed potato's and mint sauce.

 

[amazingtrade]

Yep I agree its sad and pointless. I guess it keeps people in work though.

The thing that worries me is that there are so many internet users who do not have a clue about even the most basic security measures. Even stuff like not giving your credit details out on emails etc.

I think the government need to promote internet security by providing articles on how to surf safely. It will help a lot of small businesses who cannot afford to employ I.T staff but rely on their PC systems.

 

[titian]

I am glad I work on Macs at home. I know that Macs also get viruses but in 20-25 years I never had any problems with them.
I suppose it is not interesting to write such stuff for less than 5% of the computers..