[Rhodes22-list] Warning - Postcard Virus, etc.

[Herb Parsons]

Yeah, and how do we know that the link that you just provided us is 
REALLY the "official" word on the problem, or that it's even REALLY from 
Snopes? How do we know that this isn't just one more of those insidious 
tricks trying to get us to download YAVIF (yet another virus infected 
file). For that matter, how do we even really know for sure that Robert 
Skinner is the one that sent this?

Personally, I sense avast (that's an inside joke, for some of you that 
get it) I sense a vast left wing conspiracy here....


Robert Skinner wrote:
> Friends:
>
> Looks like another snare out there.  This one is based on 
> an offer of an ecard supposedly sent by a friend.  But 
> when you click on the embeded link, you get infected with 
> a virus that makes your PC a zombie for some outfit 
> (suspected to be in Russia) that will use your machine to 
> send messages to whoever.  These massages can contain 
> viruses - and are delivered with your by-line.  So you 
> may be blacklisted or worse.
>
> To get the "official" word on this problem, check snopes:
>
>    http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp
>
> The most troublesome aspect of this kind of scam is that 
> any embedded link in any message could point you to the 
> source of the infection.  For example, the link that 
> supposedly came from your brother about a joke that you 
> just have to see may be pointing to the infection site.
>
> So how do you defend yourself?
>
> Most email packages will show you the contents of a 
> "Click Me" link.  Look at them to see if they make 
> sense.  Few English jokes originate in Russia...
>
> If you don't know how to look at a link before you go 
> to it, you would do well to learn how.  Read the Help 
> on your email package, talk to others who also use 
> your software, of call up your son, daughter, 
> brother-in-law, etc. to find out.
>
> Clicking on a link without knowing something about it 
> is like leaving your keys in your car in downtown D.C.  
> You are inviting trouble.
>
> Check out ZoneAlarm
>
>    www.zonelabs.com
>
> and Spyware Doctor
>
>    http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/
>
> for a couple of effective problem preventer/detectors.
>
>   

-- 
Herb Parsons
S/V O'Jure - O'Day 25
S/V Reve de Pappa - Coronado 35