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To: blankmind who wrote (33254)	2/4/1998 11:39:00 AM
From: username	Respond to of 61433

thanks, blank. I don't write the news, I just report it. :o) pete

To: blankmind who wrote (33254)	2/4/1998 12:23:00 PM
From: sepku	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 61433

-- OT -- >>>pete this stuff is bogus. opening any email will not cause any damage or viruses. only by running a program can a virus/malicious program be unleashed.<<< That's right...you have to actually execute the program to activate the virus -- if there is one. Opening email does not execute any program, it just reads a file. If somebody really wants to be malicious, they can disguise a virus as a .jpg or .gif pic file, and hope the person is curious enough to open it (KateMoss.jpg works well). Sometimes if you look at the file attachment and it's size seems too small (or too large) for the type of file it claims to be, you can tell if it's a virus or not -- a supposed program that is comprised of just one file (says it needs to be self-extracted) is a dead giveaway. But then again, you can always put together a small bogus program that looks like something legit, and manufacture junk files to represent the various required files in the program. The virii aren't really that dangerous...it's the packaging they come in, since you still must execute them for them to activate. Just hope your scanner picks them up, or otherwise know what to look for. But if the virus is compressed under a self-extractor, the scanner won't be able to detect it. Final thought: Anyone who's ever used AOL, knows that periodically when you sign on to the service, AOL's software automatically updates itself by downloading and installing files on your system. I always thought that if a hacker could use that feature in the software to launch a virus, the entire network could be brought down in a day. AOL has some of the worst-written software around, and it has loopholes galore...such an attack could essentially cripple the company. Style Pts.