ANST - Re: Virus Warnings

[Pug Bainter]

Lael Portwood (laepor at fisd.hub.ofthe.net) said something that sounded like:
> I thought that this information might be helpful to you all.  I was
> watching a program on television and it was all about e-mail messages and
> warnings about viruses.

I wouldn't believe everything you see on TV.

I wouldn't believe everything you read either, epsecially on the Internet.

> It is all bogus.

No. It's not all bogus. Some of it is blown out of proportion, some of
it is a hoax, and some of it is real. All in all, it's mostly blown out
of proportion so people can sell more anti-virus software.

> This program informed everyone
> that you CANNOT get a virus in your computer just by opening e-mail.

Depends on the mail client and the type of virus. This is true for the
typical and most likely case though. Some systems can be setup to
autorun or autoopen certain types of attachments.

> So next time someone sends you something regarding an e-mail virus,
> please delete it.

Why not inform them better?

If you would like some good starting points for Virus, Hoax, and other
related items, please check out:

http://ciac.llnl.gov
http://csrc.nist.gov/virus/
http://kumite.com/myths/
http://www.snopes.com
http://www.urbanlegends.com

As well as your favorite anti-virus manufacturer.

These are not just virus based with regards to myths and hoaxes.

> It's anybody's guess as to why that stuff gets started in the first place.

It's fun. It's a challenge. Etc.

In Service,

-- 
Phelim "Pug" Gervase  | "I want to be called. COTTONTIPS. There is something 
Barony of Bryn Gwlad  |  graceful about that lady. A young woman bursting with 
House Flaming Dog     |  vigor. She blinked at the sudden light. She writes
pug at pug.net           |  beautiful poems. When ever shall we meet again?"
  Note: The views do not reflect the SCA nor the Kingdom of Ansteorra.
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