YOUNG-UK-L Archives

From: "Sandra" <>
Subject: From Rootsweb.com Newslatter
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2004 06:56:10 +0800

1. NEWS AND NOTES.

1a. Takes Caution and Vigilance to Foil Viruses and Worms

With all the viruses and worms floating around via e-mail these days it
is sometimes difficult to pinpoint from whom they might be coming. Many
of the newer "bugs" forge or spoof the "FROM" address of the e-mail in
an attempt to make you think they are coming from someone you know and
trust--possibly even from familiar RootsWeb mailing lists or message
board notifications to which you subscribe.

Be careful about making assumptions based on an apparent "FROM" address.
While e-mail actually coming from RootsWeb's Unix-based servers is
incapable of harboring a Windows virus or worm, these nasty critters
will try to fool you into believing they originated at RootsWeb or came
from your cousins.

So how do you keep safe from these e-mail pests and still enjoy all of
your RootsWeb favorite lists and boards? How can you tell when mail
actually comes from RootsWeb and the address isn't spoofed?

First, use common sense. Mail coming to you from RootsWeb will never be
sent with an attachment. Some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and e-
mail programs convert digests or large messages into an attachment form
but these conversions are on the receiving end and are not sent as such
by RootsWeb. Users of e-mail programs such as Outlook Express that
regularly display the messages in RootsWeb digests as individual
attachments should be familiar with these digest attachments and the
file extensions they normally carry. Users of ISPs that normally
transform large messages into attachments should also be aware of the
file extension these ISP-created attachments will have.

RootsWeb digests come to you with the subject lines displaying the
digest number and these numbers are consecutive. Since viruses and
worms often "borrow" the subject lines of OLD mail on an infected
computer when sending themselves out -- they could possibly show the
subject line of a RootsWeb list message or digest but the volume and
digest number will not be the current one you are expecting to receive
next. Be vigilant! If the message or digest claims to be coming from
RootsWeb, but doesn't look like the normal list messages, has an
attachment, or an unexplained or unfamiliar link, do not open the
attachment and do not click on the link -- even if the subject line of
the e- mail carries the familiar mailing list prepend (the name of the
list or abbreviation used to identify the list mail). Remember that
viruses and worms are capable of copying subject lines (including
prepends) from old messages found on infected computers.

The full, expanded header information of incoming e-mails will help you
determine whether a message purported to be coming from RootsWeb
actually originated there. Become familiar with checking and reading
headers when messages or attachments are "suspect" to verify whether the
sender is legitimate or not. Also, make certain that you keep Windows
updated to include any security patches that plug up any loopholes in
your Windows operating system that these viruses and worms make use of
to gain access to your computer.

As a final measure, make sure you have an anti-virus program installed
on your computer and that you keep it current and scan incoming e-mail.
Many of the newer viruses and worms have required almost daily
(sometimes more often) updating. Some programs inform you automatically
when an update is available and you should not delay in adding the
latest protection to your computer. As the worms and viruses become
more sophisticated the anti-virus software programs must be updated to
find them and identify them.

Use caution, be alert, and don't open your e-mail when you're half-awake
or extremely tired. Keep your computer protected (and your genealogy
safe) from Internet vermin, but continue to enjoy and use your favorite
RootsWeb mailing lists and message board notifications.

IS YOUR COMPUTER VIRUS-FREE? For a free online virus scan:
http://housecall.antivirus.com/pc_housecall/

Anti-virus (AV) software is invaluable, provided you keep it updated and
use it regularly. Obtain AV in stores and shops, or download it online.
http://www.grisoft.com/
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/
http://www.mcafee.com/anti-virus/
http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/

Also, see "Internet Stuff You Need to Know" on Cyndi's List:
http://www.cyndislist.com/internet.htm#Viruses



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www.visionsplendid.homestead.com/familynames.html
MSN Messenger - Fedelmar
ICQ - Fedelmar (201309494)
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Pride is one thing ... bigotry is another !!!!
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• From Rootsweb.com Newslatter by "Sandra" <>