Posted on 12/04/2001 11:30:03 AM PST by E.G.C.
Just say no to e-mail attachments - you don't know where they've been!
Abstention works for STD's and TTD's.
I have never been virus-infected.
I just never EVER open an attachment from ANYone unless I am expecting it. If you attach something to me and I am not expecting it -- and if I know your number -- expect a phone call so I can corroberate it's validity.
Also, I NEVER install software without scanning it with the most current version of MacAfee, unless it is factory sealed.
So far -- what, like 15 years now? -- so good.
It was not fun.
If we have to use a commando squad to kidnap the culprit from another country, so be it. If we hang a few of them, it might serve as a deterrent.
This is intesting: apparently, this worm can also spread via ICQ.
Your "built-in virus protection" is better known as a 4% market share. Hackers would rather spend their time annoying the other 96% of us.
I've had my 'puter for 2 1/2 years, no viruses, never hacked, never compromised in any way. I'm running good ol' Windows 98 with no virus scanner\program of any sort. I do use a firewall.
If a person takes the time to set up the security in Outlook Express and uses their head about attachments, there shouldn't be a problem. I've received dozens of viruses through email and newsgroups and managed to never have one incident of trouble.
OTOH, I did try Linux earlier this year. I couldn't get it to install for crap. So, I called my friend, the Linux crusader who talked me into trying the beloved OS, and he ended up wiping out my entire hard drive just to put it on.
It crashed.
It crashed.
It crashed.
It crashed.
It crashed.
It crashed.
Oh, the shame....
but my system works....
every time, every day.
Not 1 crash since I dumped Linux and put Windows back on. (7-8 months ago)
If people weren't so lazy about learning how to set up Windows properly and maintain it, there wouldn't be a need to run to a different (less popular) OS that hackers and virus authors don't seem to have a lot of interest in.
Best remedy? DO NOT OPEN ATTACHMENTS. Even from your good friends. Especially if they have a strange file extension.
Because of that annoying kid that sells computers for Dell on TV. In reality, its marketing. Windows machines are cheap. They offer so many substandard addones such as printers, cameras and scanners. How could you pass up that deal? Pure snake oil. Most people I know, that are not super computer savvy, end up only able to surf the web and write a document after a few months because "something screwed up the computer" and that cheap scanner, camera and printer doesn't work or only works when you rub your belly and pat your head.
Apple costs more and there are people out there that do not believe that extra cost is worth it. I do. I always feel proven in that belief when I read about the problems of Windows users. I use computers to get things done. I don't want to waste time protecting them because of a flawed Operating System if there is an alternative. To me, its common sense.
In the late 80s, I hear, the Bulgarian govt. drafted everyone with an IQ of 130 or higher, and put them to work creating viruses. Ironically, the Eastern bloc suffered far more than we did, since their already-slow PCs took another 20-30% performance hit because of the klutzy antivirus systems they used!
Exactly. The ONLY reason why Macs don't get many viruses is because the hackers want results and to affect as many people as possible. Hackers are little terrorists. That is why the US got hit on 9/11 and not Aruba! Both hackers and terrorists want the biggest splash.
.........but.....
Last time I checked, Linus was a bear to install and understand for a non-nerd.
Maybe you could provide some insights and some sites where we could go to learn more about it.
I second that motion....is the "gone" virus related to this Jim?
It's my belief that "hackers" merely exploit Microsoft's weaknesses because they have a personal grudge against the company, or simply because it's "cool" to pick on Microsoft for being so sucessful. In other words, if, say, Linux was the most popular OS, then it would be targeted for being sucessful. If you think this reasoning is faulty, then I simply point you all to the fact that the majority of "hackers" are not what you saw in the movie "The Matrix". They are usually under 18 (most even under 15), misguided, and angry at the world (as most teenagers are) for no good reason at all, and have found that picking on Microsoft products is an easy way to vent their "teen angst". Thus, if there were another product that was more sucessful than Windows, then they would go after that one to vent their rage at the world.
Also, if you think that Windows is the only OS that is vulnerable to attacks, then you are mistaken. There is no operating system that is completely invulnerable. If Linux were as sucessful as Windows, then all these teenage and pre teen hackers out there that now spend hours looking for vulnerabilities in Windows, would spend an equal amount of time looking for vulnerabilities in Linux, and they'd eventually find those vulnerabilities.
Take home message: The real problem is that there are hackers to begin with, not with any OS, per se.
Ditto, I recommend this practice, as it solves most all the virus related problems.
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