|
|
WilliamWHolcomb Special user Twinsburg, Ohio 533 Posts |
I keep getting email from various sources with the subject: "To All Top Level Windows". The email usually contains a "Done.zip" file. I've never opened it. Anyone know if this is a virus?
William Holcomb
|
RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
William,
I get hit with dozens upon dozens of unsolicited e-mail. One of my e-mail addys is public you know. I also get a call from my ISP (just three blocks from here) informing me of the latest virus e-mailed to me. Yikes! Recently, they quarantined a virus before it got to me. They told me the subject line was "Your MSN update", and another was "Windows update" - well heck, I would of opened both had they not caught it. According to them, both were a viscious variety that would of wiped out my Hard Drive. Since then, I have a new 120Gig standing by still in the box. Always looking forward to your posts, Randy Stewart |
DavidEscapes Inner circle I'm Special! 1003 Posts |
Hi Randy
You said... Quote:
On 2003-02-15 09:10, RandyStewart wrote: Never ever EVER open an attachment if you are not actually expecting it. Even then be careful. If it is from someone you know make contact with them by phone before you decide whether to open it or not. It could have been forwarded by a virus on their PC. Also, get good anti-virus software and keep it up to date. PC-Cillin Is excellent anti virus software, for a firewall you can use ZoneAlarm, which is industry standard and best of all free for home users! Hope this helps Duncan
David Victor - The artist formally (and still occasionally) known as David Straitjacket.
My Website Add me on facebook |
RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
I no longer open mail not sent to me by immediate friends or family
And those I do open come with an agreed and very specific subject line which changes for every piece of mail. The anti-virus program I use here checks messages before leaving my PC to insure I'm not spreading it and on those coming in. Fortunately my ISP filters those out to protect themselves as well. Good folks indeed Always looking forward to your posts, Randy Stewart |
RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
The best rule of thumb is to never open any attachments unless:
1. You personally know the sender. 2. You were expecting it. 3. You have current and effective Antivirus product to scan the attachment with. I personally use Symantec's AntiVirus and Firewall products and have found them to be safe, stable and very effective.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
Oh I just remembered a list of virus names I was shown at my ISP (Internet Service Provider).
I was warned prior to seeing the list as some of the names are simply horrible! They weren't kidding. Some of the virus names (still out there) were simply wicked - matching their level of destruction. I remain convinced that the creators (obviously intelligent) of such horrible tools could probably, collectively, come up with SOLUTIONS to many of our existing world problems. We'll see. Always looking forward to your posts, Randy Stewart |
AndyChil New user UK 35 Posts |
I've never had a virus ...yet !
However, I have had warnings of viruses that were hoaxes, a few times. To check out if virus warnings are real, you can visit the urban myths site at http://www.snopes2.com/snopes.asp Andrew |
Vilago Loyal user 230 Posts |
To my knowledge, a .zip file cannot harm you. All the .zip means is that the attachment is compressed. I believe the attachment must be a .exe, .bat, or macro file to actually harm you (that's just a rule of thumb). But, I'm willing to be corrected
|
RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
Virus writers have become quite imaginative over time. Extensions which can contain viruses or other forms of malicious logic vary widely. The most common are:
.js .vbs .shs .com .exe .htm .hta Zipping a file doesn't render a virus harmless. It just compresses it so it can get through the filters. Another trick used quite frequently by virus writers is the double extension trick. They name a file "picture.jpg.shs" and it shows up in your email as picture.jpg. You double click and WHAMMO! You just sent 193 emails to your friends with the file attached. You no longer have to double-click to get zapped. Some of the newer embedded HTML types will execute if you read it in your preview pane. With all of the Klez.Worm variants out there, the best tools to use are detection, prevention, education and smart computer practices. My motto: Double check it before you double click it.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Hello Bill et al,
There have been several mailings of bad files in zip form. The sender is sendning a trap for anyone who has the setting of 'automatic download' active in their email. The unfortunate receiver would find the file downloaded and unzipped and their PC and perhaps the email server infected with unwanted code. The simplest way to handle incomming problems is 1) no preview 2) no automatic download/unzip 3) delete mail from unknown senders 4) try to get something like zonealert and Norton Antivirus running on your pc and servers. 5) get used to clicking 'no'
...to all the coins I've dropped here
|
ChrisZampese Veteran user Hamilton, NZ 341 Posts |
I provide IT support for the company that I work for, and we get a truly scary amount of viruses sent to our employees.
We have about 60 employees who have email addresses, and we get about 20 viruses sent to us a month. Thankfully we have a good virus detection system, and these viruses are stopped before they can get onto our network. As said above, never open attachments without confirming their legitimacy first. It is possible that the person you recieved it from does not even know they sent it, so you cant rely entirely on who sent it as an indication of its safety.
The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are
|
fhood New user Southern California 86 Posts |
Thanks for the info on ZoneAlarm firewall. I downloaded it (yes, it was FREE). Now, however, I keep getting alerts popping up every 5 or 8 minutes or so saying that a remote computer (?) is attempting to connect to mine via port 1080 or port 137. Those seem to be the two ports that keep coming up. ZoneAlarm details informed me that no harm was done to my computer due to its presence. However, I am wondering who or what computer is trying to connect to mine?? I am not on any sort of LAN network -- I have a private, home computer for personal use only. The port 137 alert says that it is often used by networked computers on a LAN or something. How can this be since I'm not on a LAN??
Is a hacker repeatedly trying to get into my computer? Or is this just a "quirk" of having and using ZoneAlarm?? Any information from more experienced computer buffs would be appreciated!! Thanks! Frank
Frank
www.88pianokeys.com |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Not very magical, still... » » AOL Email Virus??? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |