My rant/wish (WAS: Re: [cobalt-users] DANGER WARNNING!!!! Mike Fritsch)

["Brian Curtis" <admin@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have been using Outlook Express for quite some time and have NEVER had a
problem with any of the viruses/worms that have sprung up in the recent
past.

As long as people remember to configure the security options of their email
clients, turn off html mail, and don't open binary attachments from unknown
sources, these worms wouldn't spread like wildfire.  Then again, most people
(in general) don't even know where the security settings are.

This applies to all email clients since Outlook Express isn't the only
vulnerable one.  I believe there was an attack on Eudora recently and I know
Netscape has been vulnerable to a few 'bad bugs' flying around.

As long as people use computers, there will be viruses.  The Internet has
only made it much easier to transport the work of bad seeds.  I remember
when it was a big deal for a virus transported via the old BBSs to hit a few
hundred people, now a virus won't even make the news headlines unless it has
the potential to cause global catastrophe (or has already done so).

Instead of bashing particular email client programs, we should be bashing
the creators of these problems and trying to figure out a way to stop them
in the future.  For example, someone was nice enough to post some code for
the rest of us to use that renames .vbs attachments to .vbs.txt. server
side.  I would like to see much more of these types of efforts.

Almost all of us have clients that 'just don't get it'.  I have one clear
across the country that was hit by the lovely 'fireworks' attachment worm
some time ago.  This person still has, and spreads, the worm today since
they just couldn't figure out how to download/install/use an anti virus
program.  Even with very specific written and phone instructions!  We need
to protect these people by preventing these problems from ever hitting their
desktops.  This would in turn protect us by not allowing these problems to
be spread via our services.  Could make a great sales pitch to existing and
prospective clients.

There is some terrific talent on this list.  Much, much more so than most
the lists I'm subscribed to.  If everyone put there heads together to work
on a solution, instead of bickering about 'ABC email client is better than
XYZ because it's not affected by 123 virus', I'm sure some
patches/fixes/solutions could be produced faster than the major anti virus
companies can update their definition files.

Imagine this... A relatively small user group (such as cobalt-users)
produces a solution for sysadmins worldwide to beat down the latest and
greatest destructive virus.

Am I dreaming?  "Quick!!  Somebody pinch me!" said the Taco Bell(tm) dog
when he/she/it saw a vision that seemed too good to be true.

Please: If you have something constructive to add to this thread, feel free
to post it to the list.  Otherwise direct all bashing/flames/mail
bombs/viruses directly to me (bcurtis@xxxxxxxxxxx) to help prevent list
pollution.

if (($flame) || ($bash))

    $myProtectiveSuite = 'on';
} elseif (($mail_bomb) || ($virus)) {
    $myBombShelterDoor = 'locked';
}

Brian Curtis

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