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To: the Chief who wrote (13007)	5/14/1999 5:16:00 PM
From: StockPro	Respond to of 62348

Chief, it's OK to open your e-mail. Viruses (and trojans, and document macros, and worms - like Happy99.exe, etc.) are all executables and can only be included in e-mail as "attachments". As long as you use a virus-scanner on the attachments (or don't click on them to open them) you are OK. If you open your e-mail and see the attached file "Happy99" don't click on the attachment, just delete the entire e-mail. Best not to click on any attachments without virus checking them because the name of the attachment can be changed to anything. Someone could send you "Happy99.exe" and call it something else, so never let your guard down. Use a virus detection program on ALL ATTACHMENTS before opening.

To: the Chief who wrote (13007)	5/14/1999 5:30:00 PM
From: WhatsUpWithThat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 62348

OT: viruses I have to fight this stuff every day at work. I sat down with my techs and worked out a general Virus Primer and had it posted on our Intranet. There are also a lot of hoaxes out there; they "win" by scaring people, wasting time and bandwidth with all the e-mail warnings people send each other, etc. The "Bud" frog screensaver is one such, as is the "Good Times" virus. In general: 1. It is impossible to get a virus just by READING an e-mail message; you have to download and open an attachment. You can protect yourself against these attachments by deleting them without opening them. 2. Be very skeptical of any warnings you get that contain statements like "this has just been released from IBM (or Microsoft)". There is an international organization, CERT, that produces the official notices of a new virus. If your message doesn't quote a link on CERT's site, and a scan of the big anti-virus software sites doesn't contain any mention, it's a hoax. Look to syamntec.com, trendmicro.com, and/or mcafee.com 3. The policy I set here is: don't download and open any attachment that isn't business related! Though this sounds pretty grinchy, and of course isn't fool-proof, it prevents probably 75% of the infections we'd otherwise get (the other 25% being Word macro viruses, like Melissa, against which only a good AV package will help). If you'd like a copy of the Virus Primer I put together, PM me. Regards WUWT