reformatted win2k due to virus.

sde · 05-29-2002, 11:59 PM

well, i got a virus and had to reinstall win2k.

be carefull when using outlook express. even if you don't click on a file, it automatically highlights the file if it is the only one in your box. if that email is a virus and someone set it to automatically open.. you are screwed! ( if you aren't running anti-virus stuff like i wasn't)

it automatically opened my windows sound player and executed the .src file that was embedded in it.

within the next day i was getting blue screens and other odd things happening. i need to find a new windows mail client.

revolution · 05-30-2002, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mmilano
i need to find a new windows mail client.

i found one, its called linux :p

actually i heard Eudora (sp?) is good for not letting things automatically run stuff

bdl · 05-30-2002, 04:39 PM

Well, technically, there is a switch in OE that is something to the effects of "Don't automatically download attachments" or something along those lines that's *supposed* to stop things like that from happening. It won't automatically show the attachment in the mailer, therefore it won't automatically download / execute the virus script. I happen to use OE6 on Win98 at work, and thats the setting I use. If you do happen to get a suspect email, you'll have to right-click on the message title and choose 'delete', otherwise if you do click on it it'll download like normal and you're screwed anyway. YMMV.

Hrqls · 05-30-2002, 10:16 PM

you could set your startup position to another folder then the inbox

there is also an option which wont cause the message to display in the view area .... i never tried that though ... displaying did activate the virus

sde · 05-30-2002, 11:02 PM

errr... duh!! i never even looked at the preferences =)

thanks a lot .. i found it

rdove · 06-04-2002, 01:21 PM

If you have norton anti-virus it will catch the virus before it is able to do any damage. The same thing happens for OutLook XP. That might be something for you to look into.

SiteTutor · 06-04-2002, 07:27 PM

mmilano
sorry about your experience.

here's a free downloadable firewall. we've used it a couple yrs ago prior to Norton..

it worked pretty good!

http://www.zonealarm.com/zap26_za_grid.html

sde · 06-04-2002, 08:04 PM

thanks =)

wynpublishing · 06-07-2002, 06:21 PM

'be carefull when using outlook express. even if you don't click on a file, it automatically highlights the file if it is the only one in your box. '

that's right. If you ever get an email wih an attachment and you
want to delete. RIGHT click the message and delete so it does not
auto execute the infected file.

Or better yet, avoid Outlook like the plague it is.

I have been using the free Pegassus email client for 6 years now
and everytime my friends get those weekly outlook viruses
I laugh and say ' I told you so!'

sde · 06-07-2002, 06:29 PM

is there a website for pegasis email?

wynpublishing · 06-07-2002, 06:33 PM

Pegassus, the very best free email client on the planet.
http://www.pmail.gen.nz

sde · 06-07-2002, 06:45 PM

thanks, i'm downloading now.

SiteTutor · 06-07-2002, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wynpublishing
'be carefull when using outlook express. even if you don't click on a file, it automatically highlights the file if it is the only one in your box. '

that's right. If you ever get an email wih an attachment and you
want to delete. RIGHT click the message and delete so it does not
auto execute the infected file.

Or better yet, avoid Outlook like the plague it is.

I have been using the free Pegassus email client for 6 years now
and everytime my friends get those weekly outlook viruses
I laugh and say ' I told you so!'

wow.. cool.. thanks for this relevant tip!

wynpublishing · 06-07-2002, 08:33 PM

I stumbled on that one while operating on a friend's
computer. Disabling auto send/receive does NOT
do the trick.