What
are Email Virus / Worms? Unlike
an attached file that the user must execute, email viruses
are actually embedded within the email itself. Attachments
may also be involved and these attachments will automatically
execute when the user reads, or, in certain cases, previews
the email. Thus, email viruses differ from email-borne
viruses, the latter which require users actually open the
attachment in order to become infected. Historically, email
viruses have targeted Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express
users, though theoretically other mail clients could pose
a risk. In any event, if an attachment is involved, the
user can still choose to open it and become infected, as
was the case with BadTrans.B,
Nimda,
Sircam,
and most recently, the destructive Klez
Internet Worm. For this reason, it is equally important
to understand both how to prevent attachments from being
automatically executed by the mail client and how to recognize
potentially harmful attachment types.
Klez.H becomes
'Biggest Virus of all Time'
The computer virus Klez.H has become the biggest of all
time, surpassing SirCam, according to an e-mail security
company. Read
more... (Source: CNN.com)
How do I
prevent email viruses?
Rule
1: Identification: Understanding the nature of the
attachment is the first step towards email safety. Any
executable type attachment has the potential to be infected.
This covers a wide range of extensions, however most viruses
arrive as an attachment with a .exe, .bat,
.scr, .com, .lnk or .pif file
extension.
Rule
2: Intent: An executable type attachment should not
be opened unless it was specifically requested or expected.
Since email worms are sent to addresses found on infected
users' machines, just knowing the sender is no proof of
intent. In fact, odds are an email worm will arrive from
someone you know and the sender is oblivious to the viral
email being sent from their machine. If you receive such
an email from someone you know, email that person and
ask if they intended to send you the attachment. If you
don't know the sender, stifle your curiosity and delete
the email.
Rule
3: Necessity: This is the simplest rule to follow,
but one that many people ignore. If you do not need the
attachment, don't open it. Delete the email instead.
Rule
4: Disable scripting: To date, email viruses have
taken advantage of security vulnerabilities found in Microsoft
Outlook and Outlook Express. However, any mail client
that supports HTML and scripting should be considered
at risk.
Rule
5: Patch your system: Microsoft routinely releases
approximately 100 security patches per year. Keeping abreast
of these and understanding which are applicable to your
system can be a daunting task. Microsoft simplifies this
by providing a Windows
update site. The site will automatically scan your
system and provide a list of recommended updates specific
to your operating system. Any included in the "Critical
Updates" section should be installed. Of course, security
is an ongoing process as new vulnerabilities are constantly
discovered. You should make it a point to pay periodic
visits to the update site to ensure necessary patches
are in place.
Are you susceptible?
If you're not sure what version you have,
you can easily find out. With Internet Explorer open, from
the "Help" menu, choose "About Internet Explorer",
view the version information. If you are using ver 5.01
or 5.5 without SP2, you could be at risk. Your Browser is:
VIRUS
HELP!
If you require professional assistance eradicating potentially
destructive viruses from your system, simply call tech support
at 905-685-1539 (select
option 3) and make an appointment to bring your computer
in to Vaxxine.
For a modest fee, we will run a scan and rid your machine
of all virus files. *(Some limitations may
apply depending on the virus and amount of damage)
E-mail
Virus/Internet Worms
