on 10/05/2002, "Robert J. Johansen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I was immune to the plethora of Windows viruses out there. You still are AFAIK, perhaps with the exception of M$ Oriface Macro viruses. > But recently I sent an e-mail, from my Mac (Q 950), with an attached file to a > relative, who has a Windows box. The file was a JPEG created on my Dad's > Windows box. The JPEG file was physically transferred to my machine from a ZIP > disk, that is, it was not e-mailed to me. He (the relative) claims all sorts > of mayhem has resulted on his machine which he attributes to a virus contained > in my e-mail/attachment. I pooh-poohed the idea, figuring he was having > "normal" Windows issues that didn't require a virus to explain them. > > But now I'm wondering: Firstly, is the scenario described above possible? Can > a Mac transmit Windows viruses in e-mail file attachments? Secondly, is there > a good and not outrageously out > there? If your relative had become virus infected around the time you sent the JPEG to him. I would say that it is coincidental only and unfortunate that he happens to accuse you of sending him one. It is more likely he obtained it elsewhere (and not from a Mac owner). There was a Hoax Virus alert called "JPEG Virus (April Fool)" in 1994/95 (do a Google search for "JPEG Virus" it may help put your mind at ease). Perhaps your relative had once read it and believed it to be true? The only way you would be able to infect your relative's computer is to send some form of Windows executable to him as an attachment. So to answer your first question, "is the scenario described above possible"? No it's not possible if all you sent to him was a JPEG file. And your second question about a 68-K compatible anti-virus program. Yes, remove all Microsoft programs from your Mac and you should be quite safe. Mike -- Quadlist is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Quadlist info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/quadlist.shtml> The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/quadlist%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
