Ted,
I looked at the virus info. The danger is spotted in the filenames
EXTension!
Let's look at the filename itself. It is a dead giveaway that it
contains a sort-of virus.
JIMI_HMNDRIX . MP3 . pif
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~
FILENAME EXT EXT
Note the SECOND file extension is PIF. PIF goes back to the old Windows
3.1. Using Object Packer to create a PIF file, one could make the PIF do
all kinds of very useful things, and bad things. In this case, the PIF
file renames DLL files which arev reported as having a viurs. Without
reading through the exact code of the PIF, it's hard to tell if in fact
there is an actual virus embeded into the PIF or whether the PIF simply
renames the DLL files.
In any event, users who receive file attachments should look at the file
extensions. If it ends in PIF, simply delete it. I would also be wary of
any filename that has more than one extension. For example:
FILENAME.DOC.EXE
FILENAME.GIF.EXE
FILENAME.DOC.COM
or, any file with more than one extension.
Many users don't even see their file extensions. With Windows installed
at the factory/retailer, the default is to hide file extensions from the
viewer. Users should turn this on. To do so:
[1]- Open "My Computer"
[2]- Click the "View" tab
[3]- Select "Folder Options"
[3]- Click "View" tab.
[4]- UNcheck "Hide file extensions for known file types".
[5]- Done. Now users can see the file extensions, all of them.
Some users, using Microsofts Outlook Express are the most vunerable.
Most of the recent viruses attack through the many Outlook Express
system security holes. I suggest that anyone using Internet Explorer
and/or Outlook Express invest in McAfee or Norton anti-virus tools.
These when used at their full capacity will slow down your computer a
tad, but add some safe 'netting.
I suggest you edit, copy, paste, and this to your List.
Jim
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