CSGA-L Archives

Archiver > CSGA > 2002-11 > 1038435329


From: "Jana Black" <>
Subject: [CSGA] VIRUSES - List Mgr. post- ALL please read
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 14:17:40 -0800
In-Reply-To: <001701c29624$08f41c40$63a8fea9@sheilabe>


Hello Sheila and all,

Basically, this comes down to my responsibilities as list manager on a
Rootsweb sponsored list and the way Rootsweb sets up lists it sponsors so
that we can all enjoy a virus free environment while using lists on their
servers. It is standard protocol for discussion on Rootsweb lists to require
members to stick to the topics the lists are set up to discuss, in this
case, CSGA business. Viruses and the like are subsidiary topics. I will
explain why....

Sheila, you said you were not "familiar with Rootsweb protocols" so, I will
address them here. As far as appropriate message content is concerned, that
is essentially up to me as list manager. The definition of the CSGA list
reads: "Topic: A mailing list for the members of the California State
Genealogical Alliance (CSGA), a statewide association of independent
genealogical societies, individuals and non-profit organizations interested
in furthering genealogical efforts throughout the state, to discuss areas of
mutual interest. The list is not for genealogical queries and non-CSGA
subscribers are requested to refrain from posting to the list unless they
can constructively address CSGA goals and missions. Additional information
can be found on the CSGA web site at http://www.csga.com/.";

So long as there is no flaming or profanity, I run pretty "loose" lists, so
you do not need to be hesitant to discuss anything related to the concerns
of CSGA. If the conversation strays too far from discussion of CSGA related
material, I will ask you to all get back "on topic" regarding CSGA business.
The reason I draw a line regarding discussion of viruses, etc., is that such
discussion can *easily* tie up a list over and over again. Given my
experience in many years of managing multiple RW lists, I dis-allow virus
conversation as it just tends to get people frightened and distracts
conversation from the intended topic, CSGA matters.

It appears that some of you need a bit of information regarding *how*
viruses are spread and what your personal responsibilities are in protecting
yourself from receiving viruses and others from being infected by you:

FACT: Numerous viruses, worms and trojans are born daily, they will not go
away.
FACT: Viruses are NOT spread by plain email, they are spread in attachments
*accompanying* email.
FACT: Since Rootsweb does not allow attachments, no viruses can come thru a
RW list, so we do not need to be concerned with them here.
FACT: We all need to regularly backup our material in the event we are
"struck" BUT
FACT: With a very small investment, we can go about our business not
worrying about being struck!

Information regarding same is very well covered here:
http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/announce.html#virus. As listmanager, everytime
someone brings up well-intended conversation of yet another virus, the list
manager has to deal with fear filled emails from folks who are
understandably worried, and it becomes a managerial nightmare.

It is the responsibility of *each of us* who use email to familiarize and
educate ourselves regarding how to protect ourselves from viruses as well as
to insure that we do not inadvertently spread Virus, Trojans, or Worms from
our own computers. Today, most people use online protection software (McAfee
and Norton offer the two most commonly used versions). This software uses
the internet to constantly update itself every time we are online adding the
"fixes" for new viruses to our hard drives, thereby keeping us all safe. No
one of us could ever protect ourselves sufficiently from the plethora of
viruses that exist. Companies like McAfee and Norton spend all their
professional time ferreting out and detoxifying these programs to protect us
all. These software applications cost about $30 per year and are well worth
the investment - links are found on the website above. In the internet
world, it is now essentially irresponsible not to let the professionals do
the protection work for us all.

Beyond that, one should NEVER open an attachment unless they are expecting
it!!! Frankly, there is no such thing as "innocent" in an internet world, we
all must become educated users. The best protection is ALWAYS, even if you
get an unexpected attachment from someone you trust, to write them to ask if
they intended to send you an attachment before you open it up.

If you would like to educate yourself further, the link to the Rootsweb help
desk is full of FAQs, etc.: http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/

Hope this answers your questions - Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Jana Black
List manager, CSGA-L

-----Original Message-----
From: Sheila Benedict, CGRS [mailto:]
Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 6:48 AM
To: Jana Black;
Subject: Re: [CSGA] alert for possible virus/scam


To Jana Black,
I am not at all confused by Jo's message but am certainly confused by yours.
I do not know why one responsible CSGA board member should not be able to
inform other CSGA members of possible computer viruses - that is how we
communicate!

A CSGA topic only? Forgive me, I must be missing something but do admit to
not being familiar with Rootsweb protocols on appropriate messages sent via
our list. However, I have two questions: how is notification of a severe
computer problem "not applicable" given that we reach our members via our
e-mail list and viruses come from e-mails?
Whether we get attachments from our list is really immaterial - we are using
our list as an information source for our membership.

A virus opened innocently by just one CSGA member could spread rapidly
through the mailing lists of other CSGA members and knock out communications
(and have many other disastrous effects as you know) indefinitely!

To avoid future posting errors on our part, I would like to be put in
contact with someone in Rootsweb management to get a further explanation
about what is considered applicable topics for CSGA members. Then, we will
of course, send an e-mail clarification to all our members.

Have a Wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving everyone! One of my prayers of
thanksgiving tomorrow will be that all computers stay virus-free.
Sheila Benedict


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