If possible, DO NOT open the ACTIVE-X attachment in the Saturday message
from Todd Scott titled "[Mpls] Ward 9 campaign."

The message contains something called the kak virus. This virus is not very
harmful, though you'll see an error message when you re-boot.

To disinfect, PLEASE run your anti-virus program. If you don't have one, you
can download a trial version from McAfee:

http://download.mcafee.com/eval/platform-language2.asp?l=0&prdc=27&s=HOME&o=
10&zz=VirusScan&img=vs1.gif

Q: Why did this happen?

A: Our new list server is more forgiving about accepting non-plain text
messages. Our old (pre-January 2001) list server automatically stripped out
programming language, which is why you got character-laden junk when an HTML
message (language that makes web pages look nice) came through.

Now, the server just sends stuff through and if you have HMTL, you can view
messages. Apparently, it also waves through something called Active-X
commands, where - very rarely - viruses reside.

I apologize for this problem and PLEASE don't leave the list. We will fix
it.

The smartest thing you can do is NEVER open an attachment that comes via the
list.

Also, set your email program (if you know how) NOT to open Active-X
attachments. They're not necessary for viewing messages, more for letting
fancy graphics do their thing within an email.

The most considerate thing you can do is ALWAYS send messages Plain Text.
Look in the help file with your email program about how to do this. Some
programs let you send Plain text to certain addresses, so you can use Plain
Text to Minneapolis-issues and pretty, whiz-bang HTML to everyone else.

Again, sorry about this, but we will fix it. Please help us by sending only
plain text messages.

Best,
David Brauer
List manager


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