Dirt bags that intentionally screw up your computer have a new gimmick

[Raceman]

It goes something like this: Someone you know sends you a fowarded e mail telling you to search for a certain EXE file and then deleat it. You WILL find it if you're using Windows. Problem is, it's an important operating system to your computer. I'm not computer literate enough to know the ramifications, but I fowarded it to my computer guru and he sent this response back to everybody on the foward list:

The attached email is a hoax. The file it's warning you to delete is a valid winows system file and should be located in the C:\Windows\Command folder if you do a search. Please read the following information about the email from Symantec's web site, the leader in virus protection. If you have deleted the file noted in the email below, then the site will also instruct you as to how to restore it. Here's the site: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/sulfnbk.exe.warning.html

In the future, NEVER delete a file that an email instructs you to delete. These virus senders have decided to take an altranative means to screwing up people's computers and this is the example. They tell you how to remove a particular virus. In actuallity, they're telling you how to delete a vital file that Windows depends on to run. My suggestion is this: If you don't know enough about the computer to recgognize which files are vital and which are not, go to www.yahoo.com and type in the file name that an email is telling you to delete and do some research before you attempt to delete files from your computer. Another suggestion is to be assured you have a good virus protection program, Norton Antivurs is the best, and keep it updated and scanning daily. If you adhere to this rule, you shouldn't have to try to decipher bogus emails b/c the A/V software will do the work for you on REAL viruses.

[Jeff_G]

Never open an .exe, .com file unless you know what it is and who it comes from any attachment for that matter, and most important you are expecting it. Update your virus definitions at least monthly. Use a firewall such as Zone Alarm. And before you do anything research it first.

[tombrown]

Hey Jeff, that's all pretty generic good stuff but Raceman is describing a new type of attack. It's a semi-credible sounding message asking people to delete the file "Sulfnbk.exe".


Merry Christmas,

Tom Brown

[BenKeith]

Hey Raceman,

I've had a good solution for that for some time now. If I don't know the address/person the email is coming from, I delete it without ever opening it. I figure it's spram or some other junk I don't won't to be bothered with. I'm a firm believer if there's a product, service or info I want, I contact them first. Don't want them bugging me. Same thing I tell them telephone pains in the ---s.

[Ron V]

I have found that I am able to keep some pop-up ads at bay by entering the site they come from on my "banned URL's" list in McAfee. I am told there are some places to download free pop-up blockers as well.

Also beware of ".pif" files. These go right to DOS.

A Yahoo account has Norton scanning ability built right in and also sets up a Bulk Mail folder that automatically collects all of the spam garbage and ads.

I am 100% in favor of being firewalled if you spend any amount of time on the Internet interacting with people. A dial-up connection on a proxy server like AOL helps a lot (AOL makes it very difficult for most people to find you), but personal firewalls come packaged with most virus checkers, so use them!

Update your virus checker EVERY time an update is available for it.

The computer I have now is too old to bother with, but my next one is going to have Norton Clean Sweep on it, which helps keep Internet clutter on your system cleaned up and helps the performance.

Like the others said, NEVER open up anything if it's from someone you don't know. Even if it came from someone you know, forward the e-mail to a Yahoo account and scan it or make sure your virus checker is updated and active when you open it.

On a different note, the telephone people that BenKeith referred to get a very special treatment when I answer the phone. My theory is get as vulgar as possible. That ups the odds of the supervisor finding out about the call and/or removing your name from the list.

[Hunter]

Regarding phone solicitations, I found getting them voided the relative utility of even having a phone. It's the same with mail and most of the contacts come from your phone listing anyway.

Personally, I'm too cheap to go unlisted and I'd still like people I know to be able to find me. My answer - I listed under my Black Lab's name, Coffee.

I can't tell you how much mail she got. The calls were the most fun. Coffee was a very vocal lab and wound make an odd howl when scratched/petted (god, is this Barney fuel or what). Anyway, when folks would call wanting to "talk to Coffee" they got their chance. I think the dog learned to like the phone ringing as she began to come over and lean on me when she heard it.

As far as mail goes, I continue to open all unsolicited mail and return the prepaid return envelopes (sanitized for my protection).

Have some fun!

Than waking up to the smell of fresh Coffee. :D

Is the lab finish good for a few extra grrrrrrrrrrrpms? ;)

[Raceman]

In my case, my cousin sent me an e mail that said, "I've probably sent you a virus because I got a file from a girl I work with and now she sent me this e mail saying she sent me a virus and that this is how I should get rid of it". The fowarded e mail (not a file to download, just a foward) had the instructions on deleating the file and also instructions to foward it to anyone I may have sent an e mail to. That's how it gets spread, because it usually does come from someone you know.

[B.Leonard]

Switch to Linux.

Open anything you want, anywhere on the web without worry. Throw your virus software in the trash. Enjoy being virus proof ALWAYS.

-BL

[Rickracer]

I gotta agree with that. I've been using a Linux server/router to connect my DSL to my LAN for about a year, and no virus has gotten through. I still keep Norton's up to date though. :cool:

[B.Leonard]

You'll still need virus software if you're running a Microsoft Operating system of any kind.

You see, Microsoft "designs-in" flaws into the Operating System. These flaws require more software to correct (most likely Microsoft brand). Even these "corrections" have designed in flaws that further tie you into the Microsoft web. Bill gates didn't become the world's richest man by being stupid!

When you switch to another Operating System other than Microsoft brand, you stop the whole problem at the root. Linux just happens to be the most popular that will run on your Intel based PCs.

Linux/Unix has no designed in flaws whatsoever. It is a secure Operating system that 90% of the internet uses for high capcity and critical routers and hubs. The internet would never work without Linux/Unix. You'll notice a speed increase moving to Linux as well. It's 5-10X more efficient than Windows, NT or XP.

So stop your whining guys ;) and stop buying into Gates scheme.

-BL

[tombrown]

It's not yet time for Linux on the desktop of the average user. That day continues to get closer, though.

Rick has this thing figured out. Everyone needs to run a Windows based PC to support our hardware and applications but Linux makes an excellent Internet gateway. If you run this configuration, you should check out the SQUID web cache/accelerator. It makes web access FAST but it does require a bit of disk and a server that isn't memory constrained (I use a 128 Mb PII/2 GB disk and it flies).


Merry Christmas,

Tom Brown

[pyro]

I have also received naughty programs in the form of an attached .VBS (virtual basic) file. You all may remember the "Anna Kournikova" virus that came as "anna_kournikova.jpeg.vbs". It sends itself to everyone on your list, but is otherwise harmless.

[MadMat]

Tom, Bruce, Rick,
This is exactly the configuration I run, I've put a Linux firewall in called Smoothwall that's free and very easy to set up (http://www.smoothwall.org) on an old P133 that is now permanently connected to the internet. And then got a really cheap hub to connect all the other PC's in the house to it. Works brilliantly.

Cheers
P.S. Merry Christmas.