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echo: novell
to: HARRY OLDENHUIS
from: MIKE MORAIS
date: 1997-02-02 15:10:00
subject: virus protection

HO> Apparently the Virus is written in a document that you read,
HO> like Text file.
The virus your friend was referring to is a hoax.  It's supposed to
be in a message entitled 'Good Times' (IIRC).
However, it just takes a little thinking to realize that a virus
cannot be executed by reading a text file/message.  In order for a
virus to do damage/replicate/etc. it has to be executed.  Reading a
message doesn't execute a program.
OTOH, if the message has an encoded file (Mime, UUencode, etc.)
which is then decoded back into a program format, then that program
could very well be a virus/virus infected.  Reading the text
however, won't execute it though.  Executing the program created
would cause the problems - in which case, caution is alway advised
when dealing with encoded files transfered through newsgroups on the
Internet. (or for that matter, any file downloaded off the internet)
The only other possibility is if the text file is actually a .BAT
file - in which case reading it wont have any effect, but renaming
it as such (?.BAT) and executing would.
Hope this helps.
... A bird in the hand is the best way to eat chicken.
___ Mountain Reader II - #00000081
                                                                              
 
               
--- VFIDO 7.12
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* Origin: PC Online (1:2424/2406)

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