This is late; I know; but I was out of town for a while, and I'm trying to catch up.
Outlook now blocks most files that would spread the common viruses. (.scr .exe .com .bat etc). Outlook Express does not. These two shouldn't be lumped together as if they were the same thing. There have been reasonable efforts made to resolve the virus issues Outlook was suffering. Outlook Express is a freebie included with Internet Explorer, and is treated as such. Additionally, there are alternatives to Exchange which allow you to use the collaborative features of Outlook. They are much cheaper than Exchange, and they don't require the Legacy Microsoft server either. Both of which further prevent the spread of viruses. Kev. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Johnny Stork" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2003 12:51 PM Subject: Re: (clug-talk) antivirus for windows and firewall for linux?? > Here is my usual speel about virus avoidance behavior. I am interested in corrections/additions to this so I can use it is my standard speel. > > 1: Avoiding virus's is about BEHAVIOR and not just about running anti-virus software. > > 2: The overwhelming number of virus's, worms and trojans are targetted to Windows Operating systems, Outlook/Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. > > 3: Linux is NOT impervious to virus's but if you keep your services (ssl etc) up to date and dont run unnecessary services (mostly applies to boxes visible on the Internet), dont run/use mail programs that execute code/html etc, and dont run as root, you are almost impossible to attack. > > So the most basic way to ensure you will not get a virus (I have never been infected in 15 years of heavy, steady computer work with 3-10 machines), is to follow these quidelines. > > 1: DO NOT use Outlook or Outlook Express for email. Unless you are a large corporation using the collaborative features of Outlook which rely on Exchange, you can get ALL if not more functionality with many other freely available mail clients. At the very least ensure all are patched currently and disabled the preview pane. > > 2: DO NOT use Internet Explorer. There are GREAT alternatives like Mozilla/Pheonix/Opera which are open source and provide many great features not found in IE like tabbed browsing and popup blocking. > > 3: Run an Antivirus program on any Windows box's and keep the signature database current. > > 4: Scan ALL downloads and floppies that you put on the windows machine. > > 5: Never run as Administrator on the Windows boxes or root on the Linux boxes. > > 6: NEVER open ANY email with an attachment from someone you dont know. Although the urge to just take a peek is often great, try to avoid it. > > 7: Mostly spam avoidance advice, but use a fake or "crap" email, like a hot mail or yahoo account, when you need to sign up for some service that requires an email. Dont give out your personal/business email unless it is a business/professional/personal requirement. Might also want to look into some spam filters. I know there are some for Linux and Windows but I have never used them. > > With these precautions, you will be almost certain to avoid the overwhelming majority of virus's which predominantly tarket and propogate through Windows systems. > > > http://www.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/01/12/17/011217opsource.xml > http://212.100.234.54/content/8/17938.html > http://worldtechtribune.com/worldtechtribune/asparticles/buzz/bz09172002.asp > > > > > ------ original message ------ > From: Michael Walters <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Sat Jan 25 06:51:06 PST 2003 > Subject: Re: (clug-talk) antivirus for windows and firewall for linux?? > > Hello Jesse, > <br> > <br>My nephew Ryan has a Red Hat firewall between the modem and our computers and > <br>I also intend to learn how to write a good firewall for my computer too. > <br>Should I also use an antivirus program for windows as well? > <br> > <br>Regards, > <br> > <br>Michael > <br> > <br> > <br> > <br> > <br>On Friday 24 January 2003 11:34 pm, you wrote: > <br>> On Fri, 2003-01-24 at 22:37, Michael Walters wrote: > <br>> > Hello all, > <br>> > > <br>> > Should I get antivirus software for windows applications and do firewall > <br>> > programming for linux? How am I in danger in windows if I only access the > <br>> > net with linux? > <br>> > <br>> As long as your Windows machine is connected to the net you are a > <br>> potential target. It's a nice idea to setup a firewall in all the OS's > <br>> on the machine, or have a firewall between the modem and your computer. > <br>> > <br>> Jesse > <br> > <br> > > --------------------------------------------------- > The Webtop Personal Web-based Email System > http://www.yourwebtop.com > > >
