Computer Hope

Software => Computer viruses and spyware => Topic started by: ST3 on June 24, 2004, 09:49:07 AM

Title: I know virtually nothing..about viruses that is
Post by: ST3 on June 24, 2004, 09:49:07 AM

My brother sent me an email saying he has received 2 emails from me with attachments on them, but I didn't send either one of them.  We both assume it's a virus, but we don't know what it is.

The attachment on the 2nd mail was this:

ATTACHMENT part 2 application/octet-stream name=the_message.scr

Anybody have any ideas?

Title: Re: I know virtually nothing..about viruses that i
Post by: Joleen on June 24, 2004, 10:52:06 AM

Many viruses are able to spoof the address of someone else.  By that I mean, I might be infected by virus X.  X looks through my contacts list and pretends to be Raptor and sends itself to you.  You get an email that looks like it came from Raptor but it really came from me.

Other viruses can send themselves without showing in your sent list.  You might be infected but not know it.

Title: Re: I know virtually nothing..about viruses that i
Post by: Raptor on June 24, 2004, 12:16:14 PM

Try scanning for viruses,

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php - AVG Anti Virus - Freeware

or

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ - Trend Micro - Free

I know very little about E-mail, but if the problem occurs more often you may have to contact who ever provided you with that E-mail adress.

Title: Re: I know virtually nothing..about viruses that i
Post by: mark_c on June 25, 2004, 04:58:50 PM

A very simple precaution can be to get into the habit of using a meaningful title field, something that you and your respondent would know but a malware bot wouldn't.
"Your pics" doesn't mean anything, but "pics of Jule's wedding in May" does.

It's not foolproof but does make for a good habit with your email correspondees. :D

Title: Re: I know virtually nothing..about viruses that i
Post by: Joleen on June 28, 2004, 05:56:22 AM

Excellent point Mark.