ADMIN: Virus Warnings - Specifically Re:Real thing

From: John I Jones <jijones@ix.netcom.com>

I know that virus warnings are sent out with the best of intentions (at least
those sent by someone other than the perpetrator of hoax warnings), and this
is a real virus, *BUT* the list policy is to *NOT* post that sort of message
here. If you think something needs to be posted, please mail me first, and if
it is appropriate I will post what ever message needs to be sent. We have far
more hoax messages hit our mailboxes than the real thing.

In this case the virus is real. The best place to get information from is :

http://www.fedcirc.gov/

Click on "News Flash" then Under the paragraph for March click on "FA-99-05":


But, in summary it appears that:

The virus arrives in an attached file (named list.doc).
You don't activate the virus by reading the email.
You do activate the virus if you open the attached file (a Word document).
Some email will open attachments automatically - Generally speaking this is
*not* a good way to have your mail configured.

*If you get one of these messages just delete the message and its attachment*

The virus is known as a Macro Virus which means it uses the Macro function of
Word to do its deed. If you disable Macros, the virus won't activate.

*Note that if you open an infected document with macros disabled and look at
the list of macros in this document, neither Word97 nor Word2000 list the macro.*


It does not appear that the virus activates on any other email system than
ones that have Microsoft Outlook installed (it does not have to be active) or
operate through any other word processing programs other than Word 97 or Word
2000 (both PC based - Mac users appear to not be affected)


You can bet that someone may try to modify this virus, so as always, *never*
open any document that you are not expecting.

Please do not post any further comments about this virus (or others) to
iris-talk or iris-photos. If you feel something needs to be said, contact me privately.

Thanks

John                     | "There be dragons here"
                         |  Annotation used by ancient cartographers
                         |  to indicate the edge of the known world.
________________________________________________

USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay) 
Fremont, California, USA 
Visit my website at:
http://members.home.net/jijones

President, Westbay Iris Society
Director, Region 14 of the AIS

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