BurmaNet: Technical Note--Advice on

[strider@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: BurmaNet: Technical Note--Advice on Viruses


You are receiving this note from BurmaNet because computer virus 
infections seem to be increasing recently, at least among the Burma 
Internet community.  A virus was recently circulated on the Myanmar-list 
and BurmaNet receives 1-3 infected files per day, mostly from 
subscribers.

The virus that was recently circulated on Myanmar-list was a type that 
hijacks the sender's email account and sends itself to all
addresses on their address book.  These viruses are quite common and 
people who use MS Windows, Outlook Express and Outlook are most 
vulnerable.  Most of these get into your computer when you
click on an attached file.  There are a few viruses that target Outlook 
and Outlook Express which can infect your computer without having to 
click on an attached file. 

Be wary of all attached files, especially those with a .exe or .vbs 
ending.  MS Word and Excel files are also something to be careful of 
because macro viruses are sometimes hidden in them.


To avoid getting a virus, do several things:

1. In general, be paranoid about attachments, especially from people you 
don't know.  Even if you know the sender well, be careful if the subject 
line is unusual (you may get emails from a boyfriend or girlfriend that 
say "I love you" in the subject line, but the same subject line from 
someone you work with is a tip off that a virus may be attached.

2.  Install anti-virus software.  Not all anti-virus software will do.  
Make sure the program can screen attachments and emails (some just clean 
viruses on your hard disk but don't prevent infection in the first 
place).

3.  Make sure that your anti-virus software is actually configured to 
screen downloads and email.  Many who have software that is capable of 
screening viruses in email never actually configure it to do so.  A bit 
like putting a lock on your front door but never locking it.

4.  UPDATE REGULARLY.  Somewhere in the world, someone is writing a new 
virus that will get around every existing anti-virus program.  Newly 
released viruses are the most dangerous and spread rapidly because 
existing programs don't realize the new things are viruses.  Anti-virus 
programs work by comparing your email and downloads with with virus 
definition lists.  A virus definition list is essentially a compilation 
of little bits of every known virus.  If something you are downloading 
matches a known virus, the anti-virus program blocks or kills it.  To 
stay safe, you MUST keep your anti-virus program updated by downloading 
and installing virus definition lists every 1-3 months.  The lists are 
free and will be available on the website of the company that makes your 
anti-virus software.

Strider



For more information on viruses, see:

http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.asp

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