On Sun 2008-Aug-17 23:31, Richard Webb (1:116/901) wrote to Roger Nelson:

 RW> THat's the best policy to keep oneself safe.

The really tricky ones are the ones referenced by tinyurl and snipurl. 
Then you have to consider the source and decide if it's worthwhile.

RN> If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

 RW> I learned that lesson at a very young age, but it sure
 RW> catches enough of them.

That's why fishermmen use large nets.

 RW> tHe reasons I say this are as follows;

 RW> Many of these folks aren't computer savvy at all.  

It evens catches, on occasion, the ones who are.

 RW> tHey might have bought a computer at the suggestion of a family 
 RW> member, or acquired one.  tHey get their cable or dsl broadband, 
 RW> it's so easy to use, etc.  IT goes along so nicely with the 
 RW> digital camera and the memory cards they bought.  

That's a fact.

 RW> THat's the danger in any system designed so as to appear easy to 
 RW> use with no training or real knowledge of what's going on under 
 RW> the hood.  Many don't even have their email set so as not to 
 RW> automatically decode that executable into its native form.  THat's 
 RW> how these viruses trojan horses and other nasties propagate.  

That's why it is very important to have a virus program running and
checking everything coming in and a firewall to back it up.

 RW> THat's how we have JOe six pack the retired guy who's not really 
 RW> computer savvy becoming the host of a zombie machine.  AFter all 
 RW> this stuff isn't as simple as securing your toolshed against 
 RW> thieves and intruders.  One of the best and most foolproof methods
 RW> of gaining access is to get you to leave it unlocked, or invite 
 RW> the miscreant inside.  tHe stories of the door to door salesman as 
 RW> advance man for the burglars are legion. Same goes for life on the 
 RW> net.

You mean let the thief in so you can shoot him?  (-:


Regards,

Roger 
--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+