Think I Sent You A Virus ...?
The facts behind modern viruses.
If you came to my site to see how to contact me about a recent email you received that contained a virus. I know people that are banning my mail, even my domain - because they believe I'm actually sending these emails maliciously.
Nothing can be further from the truth. I'm 100% clean - I have been for years. The only virus I managed to pick up was about 4 years ago, long before the new strains of viruses that 'spoof' email addresses.
Educate yourself right now. Fight the powers that are allowing you to get and unknowingly send viruses. Its easier than you think - and you won't be writing people you THINK have sent you a virus that haven't - they are a victim - just like you are.
Since most people won't read any further - let me make it clear. I did NOT send you a virus - willinging or unwillingly. Its physically impossible that you ACTUALLY received the virus from me. If you read on, you'll find out why.
Modern viruses spread via UNSECURED email - Outlook and Outlook Express.
The latest viruses use the massive security holes found in Outlook and Outlook Express - namely the ability to execute attachments WITHOUT YOU OPENING THE EMAIL! This means that no matter how careful you are about opening email, if you use these two gaping holed programs, and you are not BRUTALLY protected by a VERY GOOD Anti-Virus package (I recommend AVG) and you UPDATE IT DAILY - you are likely ALREADY INFECTED and you are sending people viruses right now as you are reading this - unbeknownst to you.
Do yourself a favor. Spend the $35 and buy a mail program called THE BAT. Its completely invulnerable to Email viruses - and its the best damn email program I've found to date.
Learn More:
Just because my name is on the FROM, doesn't mean it came from me!
Your email program probably showed you that *I* was the one that wrote the message to you that contained the virus that you are now having a devil of time getting rid of.
Don't be too quick to judge.
If you REALLY want to know where a virus comes from, check the message header itself. Since you probably wouldn't be here if you were using THE BAT, you will have to figure out for yourself how to see the TRUE header. Here is what a header looks like that has been fraudulantly sent:
Please note a few things .... First off, the From clearly says apologeticsill@truepath.net. So your first response will be to hit REPLY and chew this poor guy out for sending you a virus. That's the exact chaos the virus author intended. Everyone will be blaming everyone else.
The mail never came from him...
Look closely at the header. Note the Return-Path of bird@difac.com. THAT is where this email originated from! Now before you write this guy an chew him a new one, consider the fact that this guy probably has NO clue 1) who you are 2) that he is infected. Now, yes, its his fault he's using an unsecure email program and/or no anti-virus software - but until we can wipe Microsoft off the face of the earth, its going to keep happening.
What should you do? Write this guy. Be nice at first. Let him know that his computer sent you the virus and he should check himself out. Feel free to send him to this page. Expect the guy to write back outraged at you 'accusing' him of sending a virus. The truth is, nobody wants to admit they've been smacked with a virus.
Since many viruses spread using the standard easy-to-hack Microsoft Address Book (yet another reason to use something else), you're likely to be tempted to tell this guy to remove you from his address book. The bad news is - viruses are no longer restricted to using the Address Book. Yep, all bets are off. If this guy visited your web site and your email address was on the page, its possible for the virus to email you! Chances are good that when you get this virus, the guy doesn't know who you are. Since the virus travels from user to user, this guy could just have known someone that knew someone that knows you and has you in HIS address book.
The bottom of the truth is - since people won't use a program that they can get for free compliments of Microsoft product dumping its crappy software into their monopoly operating system, virus developers continue to use your own system against you. No longer is ignorance only affecting the ignorant - its affecting everyone they know or might have 'brushed against' on the web.
Do everyone a favor. Stop using Outlook and Outlook Express. Get a good virus checker - keep your defs up to date. Educate yourself.
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