Virus Fears

[Robert Bush]

I thought I'd share something that is actually educational
with the group.  This was sent to me by a computer geek,
that works for a major computer company.  I've changed the
name to just X to protect the innocent.  It brings out a few
issues about viruses that I had never thought about.  Enjoy!

boB

> This message is intended to educate everyone and not to "flame" on anyone.
> 
> This is a perfect example why no one should be forwarding any kind of virus
> notifications without verifying the validity of the warning -- either
> through official web sites or by an internal Network Administrator.  And,
> every X user reading this message should have Norton AntiVirus installed
> and have current virus signature files installed.  If not, you are exposing
> X -- and possibly CLIENT'S computer resources to a possible
> attack!
> 
> 
> 
> Ironically, the hoax itself is considered a virus because it creates an
> interruption of productivity, contributes to the consumption of valuable
> network resources (disk space, bandwidth, etc.) and it is self-replicated
> via humans.  Unfortunately, no virus protection software package cannot
> protect us from such attacks.
> 
> It is everyone's responsibility to educate themselves about how viruses can
> actually attack a computer.  "It will destroy your memory, sound card and
> speakers, hard drive and it will infect your mouse or pointing device, as
> well as your keyboards making what you type not able to register on the
> screen."  This is obviously written by a 10 year old with nothing to do.
> The major clue was "PASS IT ON
> QUICKLY & TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE!! THANKS!! :-)".  The kids get a
> major kick when they see their hoax mass-distributed to systems all over
> the country, and the world.
> 
> No computer virus can "destroy" physical hardware, such as memory, sound
> card, speakers, pointing devices and/or keyboards!!  However, they CAN
> destroy files, reformat hard drives and even corrupt your PC's BIOS which
> control the Basic Input/Output System components on a PC and can
> temporarily render your system useless (BIOS chips are reprogrammable, but
> most are replacable).  This is exactly what the recent CIH virus did to
> over 500,000 PCs in foreign countries a few weeks ago because they didn't
> have virus protection software installed.  Most BIOS chips can be replaced,
> restoring your system.
> 
> And, the most important part, executing a program (a file ending in EXE,
> COM or even BAT) or opening a document with a macro (Word, Excel) is the
> ONLY way a virus can be launched!  You cannot be "infected" just by reading
> an e-mail message or just downloading a file attachment.  If you do not
> trust the origin of an e-mail message that has attachment(s), you should
> not detach or launch them!
> 
> It is understandable to feel the need to warn people about new viruses, but
> you need to be responsible doing so.  Besides, if eveyone is protected --
> electronically or educationally speaking -- then there should be nothing to
> fear.
> 
> FYI: The latest Norton AntiVirus Virus Definition File is dated 05/10/99
> which now contains 21,753 known viruses.  There is an average of one update
> a week with about 50-100 additions for each update.