My ISP has just implemented the new policy of removing all M$ executables. Zipped files are still ok. The result is heaven; my email downloads much fazster and the daily viruses have stopped. The idea that .scr and .pif and .bat files are all executables is farcical. Worse still, many newbies have their file extensions switched off (it's the default!!) and so when they get AnnaKornikova.jpg.scr they can't see the .scr and they think it's an essential picture for viewing.
Let's hope all ISPs act to discard these Windows executables asap. I have passed on your comments to my ISP. Down the track, this will mean an upsurge in .doc files carrying viruses again. But think about this - if you were the CIO of a large company, do you really think that documents and spreadsheets should be executable in any way whatsoever? I think the answer is NO, documents should be just passive data files by definition. Excel 3 was a passive spreadsheet and the format is safe to this day. The idea that data files can execute on opening is a frill that can easily be done away with. There should be a special corporate version of M$ Office that does not execute macros, and it should be heaps cheaper too, to make up for all the mayhem and inconvenience caused by the current version. The problem for OpenOffice and the like is being bluffed into playing catchup and being told it's not as good as Redmond yet. The quest for endless frills is dangerous, the need for macros has already passed. Brian At 04:28 PM 30/09/03 +1000, you wrote: >> Seriously though, I don't think SpamAssassin is the right tool to stop >> viruses. Try amavisd-new + clamav on your mail hub. I did that a >> couple of weeks ago and it's blocked every one of them. I've been >> comparatively lucky though - I've only received about 35 copies. >> >True Spamassassin is not the right tool in stopping viruses. >But what I do is run anomy with spamassassin. I stop all windows >executable files from entering my sites. We have implemented the rule >the only way windows files will be allowed into our network is by way of >zip or gz file. It doesn't stop viruses but it will minimise the chances >of an executable file from entering any site I have administered. >Including this with amavisd or clamav you would have one decent mail >filtering system. :) >Remember nothing is 100% >Regards, >Kevin Saenz >Spinaweb >I.T consultants > >Ph: 02 4620 5130 >Fax: 02 4625 9243 >Mobile: 0418455661 >Web: http://www.spinaweb.com.au > >-- >SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group - http://slug.org.au/ >More Info: http://lists.slug.org.au/listinfo/slug > > -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group - http://slug.org.au/ More Info: http://lists.slug.org.au/listinfo/slug
