Thanks. I was pretty certain one could get malicious code by simply opening some emails (most not; some yes depending upon if there is script). But my boss sent my note warning him about Sober to some internal computer experts who poo-pooed the concept. I figured they were wrong but wanted to make sure. Here are the steps I take to make sure I don't get hit (and it annoys me to have to be this diligante): o Hit the virus protections update each session upon signing on and don't wait for McAfee to tell me there's a download or for them to download in their own time. o Use the McAfee firewall and keep it up to date. o Hit the Microsoft Windows Critical Updates at least two to three times a week to see if Microsoft has sewn up any holes. o Read email through an interface and don't download it (i.e., through the web browser interface of the various email companies I use). o Run Scan Spyware.net after each session, and Spybot Search and Destroy once or twice a week to delete malicious code. o Clear the cache and the history after every session and delete the cookies manually periodically throughout long sessions to dump out the spyware before it can do anything. o I've been given a router to install as an extra measure of protection but have not yet installed it. o And I had to buy a damned shredder to keep idiots out of my home trash. It offends me mightily to have to be this diligant about keeping the buggers out of the computer and out of my personal trash, but that's what it's like living in these days, and I don't consider myself paranoid. I just think that whomever gave my boss the advice that only clicking would launch a virus should be looking for a new job. Sigh. Anyway, I don't know that there's much more I can personally do to protect myself and my computer short of keeping it turned off. It's disgusting that the information superhighway has turned into the lands of identity robbers and superhighway thieves. It's just gross. --- C Reeves <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Indigo, et al, > > Tell your boss she/he owes you lunch. As Scott has > stated there are > ways to sneak malicious bugs into Outlook and > Outlook Express simply by > opening the e-mail and not the attachment. (This > goes for Mac users of > Outlook as well as some viruses attack Microsoft > where ever it is found.) > > A good anti-virus package will be monitoring your > e-mails and your > internet surfing, plus any software that has > internet capabilities. If it > doesn't - lose it and upgrade to something better. > > Look at the McAfee or Norton suites with firewall. > Personally, I > use the Norton on a system with broadband access and > have yet to be > successfully attacked. (Knock on wood) They keep > trying to no avail. > > As for your news cookies there are two things you > can do (besides > the obvious cancel your subscription). 1) Send a > letter to the editor > discussing their trawling habits through your > computer. This is called data > mining and can be quite serious. Honestly not all > businesses are aware of > how their on-line presence comes across. > 2) Use "Spybot Search and Destroy". I love this > program and it > comes with a little tool called "Teatimer" (don't > ask me why) that sits in > your program tray and makes sure nothing is changing > your registry without > your permission. Spybot S&D in combination with > AD-Aware (another fun toy) > will leave your system feeling as fresh as an Irish > Spring. > > Come to think of it, I've never really had a > problem with cookies in > e-mails. It may be because I read all my stuff as > plain text in Outlook. I > honestly don't know if that inherently would void > the cookie chaos or if > I've been lucky. Hmmm... > > Have a better day, > > Christopher > Indigo Nights [log in to unmask] ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).