Re: VIRUS ALERT-CROSSPOSTED

"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" <user@#notme.com>
wrote in message news:%23A6FIjHWDHA.1480@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

> Preliminary report:
> http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/ven...mail.a@mm.html
>
> There is an extremely dangerous virus spreading called

WORM_MIMAIL.A

>
> This spreads via email with a subject that reads:
>
> Subject: your account
>
> The body of the email reads:
>
> Hello there, I would like to inform you about important
>
> information regarding your e-mail address.
>
> This email address will be expiring. Please read attachment for

details.

>
> Best regards,
>
> Administrator
>
> Attachment: "message.zip"
>
> The standard warning: NEVER open an email or attachment from

someone you do

> not know or trust.

Sorry, but I think that's extremely dangerous advice. It implies
that the opposite is true--that it's safe to open an E-mail or
attachment from someone you know or trust.

In fact, almost the exact opposite is true. Many modern viruses
and worms spread by sending themsleves to everyone in the
infected party's address book. That means it's *more* likely, not
less likely, that a message from somneone you know and trust is
likely to be infected.

My advice is to open attachments only it's something you are
expecting; even if you get it from a close family member, it's
wise to check with them first before opening.

My own personal practice is even more stringent. I almost never
open attachments at all; I make an occasional exception, but only
for an extremely trusted source, who I am confident applies
safeguards as good as my own.

--
Ken Blake
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