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]

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