Thanks, Ernie, for posting this message. I don't generally get excited
about viruses because (1) so often the warnings turn out to be hoaxes and
(2) I feel pretty "safe" with messages coming through Rootsweb.
As most of you know, no one can successfully post a message to any group on
Rootsweb with any kind of attachment. This "firewall" (for lack of a better
term) might lull us into what is possibly a false sense of security.
While viruses apparently can't get through on Rootsweb lists, there are a
couple of viruses "in the wild" today which are capable of infecting a
system through individual messages and then forging return addresses and
subject lines from your system to make an infected message *appear* to be
from Rootsweb and you can unknowingly infect others.
The best suggestion I can make is to suggest that all of you get a good,
reliable virus protection program, set it to scan ALL files and to scan ALL
e-mail and downloads, as they are received. If you haven't updated your
anti-virus program's data file in the past week, take time to do that right
away and re-scan your system, including ALL files, not just .EXE, .COM, etc.
files.
If you haven't scanned your system in the last couple of days, you need to
make sure your program is absolutely up to date and run a scan today.
The information I've received from Norton's indicates that the virus experts
expect a deluge of viruses over the next several weeks, especially as we
approach 01-01-00. Apparently, the situation will get worse before it gets
better.
You can more information from McAfee and Norton on anti-virus protection and
safeguards at:
http://www.mcafee.com/
http://www.symantec.com/
and many other sites.
"Be careful out there!" {For those of you old enough to remember Hill Street
Blues.}
Regards,
Lois