Clifton, thanks, I just turned off my Preview Pane. :-D

leslie, I think the point is that sally probably HASN'T got the worm. Someone else with her address in their address book, does.

I do know that's how it works. But I still think, "good grief, Mel (for, yes, dear, you were one)how could you let that happen?"

My sister works in an information office in a nespaper. They have very thorough virus protection, she's sure she doesn't have it. But she got over 600 e-mails the other day that were thanks to the virus, and a large number of those returned undeliverables.

So, sheila, as others have said -- you're not the one with the virus, it's somebody who had you in their address book.

Sorry, nespaper --> newspaper.

Outlook express 6 has the option to prevent attachments being opened.
If you go to tools, options, and then click on Security you can tick the box. do not let attachments be opened etc.
I echo turning off the preview option. I got caught that way when an attachment opened automatically, but I think Microsoft brought out a patch.
Finally viruses can "spoof" so that it appears that they are coming from your address even if you are not infected.

Clifton:

Could you please tell me how to search for that directory? (I'm not exactly computer "literate"....DOH!)

Thank you Sheiia for defending my reputation :) It's niced to know I'm in someone's address book -- but do take Clifton's advice to turn off that preview pane :)

BTW there are 2 reasons I couldn't be the soource. I don't use outlook and I don't open attachments.

I'm curious about turning off the preview pane. Using the preview pane is how I look at emails w/o having to open them. If I turn it off, that will mean I have to open every single email to view it. Won't that enable me to become infected with many more virus' by opening all emails, rather than just view them?

Sheila, if you insist on using these daft products you make yourself a target.I recall warning you about this some time ago. Use Eudora instead of outlook express.Relying on antivirus products is feeble.When there are new variants appearing daily, they can't keep up.
I've never had a virus on any of my computers & not likely to.Opt out of viruses!

Get a MAC, these worms and virus's rarely hit them plus you will be graced with an excellent operating system and a very stable system.

To use the preview pane IS, effectively to open the email.

So Big F ?????
what could that stand for? I guess appropriate for a worm?

Zippo; I don't use Outlook Express. As I said above I use an offline reader and relatively little gets through. Are you mxing me up with Sylvia?

I remember when there was a similar spate of inter-fodorite virus spreading last year (which was when I stopped posting my real name and email address)that Rex said that he used a web-based email account to protect himself from viruses.

However, our IT people at work have recently banned us from using hotmail, yahoo, etc., accounts on our office pc's because they reckon that viruses can get through that route now. Not sure whether they're trying to scare us, or just spoil our fun, but it's worth taking extra care for anyone who posts their web-based email addresses here, in the belief that they are safe.

Richardab, I'm with you! I'd rather have a Mac myself but I've got a PC husband (remember that episode of Sex and the City--Carrie had Apple and Aidan a PC--you knew their relationship was doomed). Who knows, maybe Steve Jobs is secretly behind all these viruses and worms.
We check all our mail on www.mail2web.com before downloading. We can get rid of the junk and spams/worms without opening or previewing them.

CLifton - Everything I've read says there is no harm in opening and reading the email. It is opening the attachment that that releases the worm/virus. Our IT people have said the same thing.

To add...An excellent website that explains what the virus does. Some of it makes no sense to me, but even I learned alot (esp. why it looks like someone sent you something, when they did not. Their name was just stolen from another computer...)

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/[email protected]

Just got this by email:

PC Infected? It Could Try Downloads
The SoBig.F virus that made many e-mail users slog through unwanted messages
this week could soon give them software they don't need that could cause damage.

MORE DETAILS:
<http://treets.click2houston.com/svc/...13&t=1>

Hi Sheila! Here I thought I was so suddenly popular with all those emails! LOL I haven't sent any emails since this last invasion, but that doesn't mean my name won't show up if my address book is used. Oh well. It was fascinating that one of the messages that said to download a MS patch had been deleted as a virus. Sneaky those viruses... or is that viri?

BTilke,
I am very curious. How exactly does "mail2web" protect you from the viruses when they say that they don't scan for them. How do you know when to open something or not? Or if it just looks suspicious do you delete it?
Thank you Clifton, I diabled the view pane as well. I thought that made me safe because I didn't actually open things that looked "iffy" just deleted them as before opening....
I guess we are never as safe as we think..
DebiC