Virus definitions
- To: "'Medit Plants group'" <m*@ucdavis.edu>
- Subject: Virus definitions
- From: "* R* <r*@agric.wa.gov.au>
- Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 07:54:07 +0800
Dear all,
the nasty little rash of viral infections at the moment
prompts me to remind everyone that no matter how good
a virus software detection package you may have installed
on your machine it is useless if it hasn't got the latest definitions files
to work from.
Its a bit like having the latest catalogue of new release cars (or plants
for that matter)
the software on your PC can't recognise new virus programs that are not
covered
by it definition files.
Now the good news,
If you have a good antiviral software package installed you should be able
to
go to the web site for that company and download the latest Virus
definitions
files for free. I do this at least once a month from the Symantec site.
The latest virus we have had to contend with was the Melissa virus which
is a sneaky macro written into Word 97 files that automatically sends emails
out to people. It can only do so from Win 95 or NT platform PC's so
luckily I am safe
as I use MAC's but I could still send the macro infected document around
hence
triggering the macro in suitable PC's.
My virus software also sets up a directory as a safe download zone
and any files saved from email or from the net are downloaded into it
and automatically scanned for infection. I've had no serious virus
problems
for 5 or 6 years now, but only because I remain vigilant.
MAC users are also lucky as 95% of viruses are Windows or DOS based
but as I send material to people on PC's all the time I try to be as
considerate as possible.
A blight on all programmers who seem to think viruses are "FUN"
Regards, Rod
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Rod Randall
Weed Risk Assessment
Weed Science Group, Agriculture Western Australia
"I weed..."
Weed Risk Assessment Home Page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/weedsci2.htm
Weed List Page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/weeds/weedlist.htm
Weed Activity Calender:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/calendar.htm
WeedBusters Home page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/buster/buster.htm
Weed Science Group Home Page:
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/progserv/plants/weeds/
Plant Protection Society & Western Weeds Homepage:
http://www.wantree.com.au/~weeds/
ph: 08 9368 3443
fax: 08 9474 3814
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