Normally this is not a topic of discussion for the genealogy lists I
administer.
Do not discuss this any further on the list. Write me privately, if you wish
(change the "to" line, if you hit the reply button [mailto:tmg4me@rcn.com]).
There are new viruses, worms, and trojans appearing every day. A new one hit
the genealogy community over night, as well as other lists I'm sure. This new
outbreak spoofs the sender's address. It attaches a file with file size
greater than 50K. It has reportedly used the list pre-pend that appears in
many RootsWeb Lists' subject lines -- this is the list name that appears in
brackets, such as [FUNK-L] or [CATLETT-L].
Please NOTE: If you see a message that has a this list's pre-pend address
*AND* a file attachment *larger* than 30K for "mail mode" recipients or 40K
for "digest mode" recipients -- DO NOT OPEN it.
If you do not current run an anti-virus program on your computer, please do.
There are free programs available via the Internet. There are also commercial
programs available -- two that come quickly come to mind are Norton
(Symantech) and McAfee (Network Associates). Keep your virus data files up to
date. Scan your machine at least once a week. And if you run MS Outlook or
MS Outlook Express, make sure you download the security patches from the
Microsoft Web site (check for updates weekly).
Lastly, these viruses (worms and trojans) are not coming from the RootsWeb
Lists. They are coming from friends, family, and acquaintances who happen to
have *your* e-mail address in their address books.
Keep a watchful eye and please, practice safe computing!
-- Karon Bosze
List Administrator