Stop Worm Viruses

> got this from another list: > > I learned a computer trick today that's really ingenious in its simplicity. > > As you may know, when/if a worm virus gets into your computer it heads > straight for your email address book and sends itself to everyone in there, > thus infecting all your friends and associates. This trick won't keep the > virus from getting into your computer, but it will stop it from using your > address book to spread further, and it will alert you to the fact that the > worm has gotten into your system. > > Here's what you do: first, open your address book and click on "new contact" > just as you would do if you were adding a new friend to your list of email > addresses. In the window where you would type your friend's first name, > type in !000 (that's an exclamation mark followed by 3 zeros). In the > window below where it prompts you to enter the new email address, type in > WormAlert. Then complete everything by clicking add, enter, ok, etc. > > Now, here's what you've done and why it works: the "name" !000 will be > placed at the top of your address book as entry #1. This will be where the > worm will start in an effort to send itself to all your friends. But when > it tries to send itself to !000, it will be undeliverable because of the > phony email address you entered (WormAlert). If the first attempt fails > (which it will because of the phony address), the worm goes no further and > your friends will not be infected. > > Here's the second great advantage of this method: if an email cannot be > delivered, you will be notified of this in your InBox almost immediately. > Hence, if you ever get an email telling you that an email addressed to > WormAlert could not be delivered, you know right away that you have the worm > virus in your system. You can then take steps to get rid of it! > > Pretty slick. > > ............................................................................ > ............

A very simple and completely effective method of eliminating the mass scurge of virsuses and worms that threatens your Windows based computer is to change operating systems or even computer platforms. You wouldn't drive an SUV that has a history of blowing out its tires and flipping over often, so why would you use an operating system that is the target of 99.9% of all harmful viruses and worms?

I personally use an Apple PowerMac G4/Dual 500 running Mac OS X 10.1. I don't have worry about a lack of programs because not only can I run Macintosh based Applications, I can also run Windows applications and UNIX/Linux applications. So not only do I have a great Mac, I also have a great PC and UNIX machine all in one computer. Since I use a Macintosh based e-mail program, my Windows applications are safe from e-mail born worms and viruses. The two processors really make this computer run smoothly.

People will counter that Macs are just as vunderable to worms and viruses but when was the last time you heard of Mac or Linux users posting Virus Alerts on Free Republic?

I'd say go ahead and do it as I doubt it will hurt anything. But bear in mind this procedure makes several assumptions:

1) That you'll get a worm or virus. If you're keeping your virus definitions up to date (once a week) the chances of you becoming infected are very slim.

2) That the worm or virus will stop after it tries unsuccessfully to send an email to !000. I don't know this to be true, do you? And, even if it is true, the crackers that write worms and viruses have access to this info same as you. They could easily modify their code to ignore unsuccessful emails.

3) That you'll open an attachment from someone you don't know.

In addition, most, if not all, of these "mass email" type worms and viruses use the address book from Microsoft's Outlook or Outlook Express program. If you don't use Outlook or OE, even if you did become infected, the worm or virus couldn't spread from your computer.

While I'm writing about viruses and worms, go here and read about the latest mass email worm. This one is particularly nasty. Note that it uses the MS Outlook address book.

And, if I can editorialize a little... I read the previous post about using a MAC or using a PC running Unix or Linux. This is all fine and good. But I know most folks run a PC w/ Windows. And this won't change anytime soon.

So, how do you protect yourself? Actually pretty simple. I use three approaches:

First, get yourself some anti-virus software. McAfee and Norton are both good. Personally I like Norton better. Their "live Update" is pretty slick. Once you've loaded the anti-virus software, keep it updated. I update my Norton Anti-virus every Fri evening.
Everytime you're on the 'net you have an Internet Protocol (IP) address. This is what websites use to transmit info specifically to you. If you use a dialup connection, your IP address will most likely vary each time you get on the 'net. If you use certain types of DSL or a cable modem where you're 'always' on the 'net, you most likely have a fixed IP address.
There are folks out there that try to "probe" your computer. A lot of this probing is innocuous. But some of it can be dangerous. Here is an explanation of this.
To block these probes, consider installing firewall software. Two of the most popular are Zone Alarm and Black Ice. Personally I like Zone Alarm. It's good and FREE!
And last, I NEVER open an attachment from someone I don't know. You shouldn't either.

Load and keep updated some good anti-virus software. Install a firewall, especially if you have a fixed IP address. NEVER open an attachment from someone you don't know.

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