Sun, 19 Dec 1999 00:54:45 EST
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> As far as I can tell, this is an email problem, not a LISTSERV(R)
> problem. LISTSERV(R) might be able to ameliorate, but it can not 100%
> prevent sender and receiver from screwing up each other.
I disagree. If Listserv stuck to (or at least had the option to)
distribute nonexecutable text-only messages virus contamination would not be
a problem. As it is, Listserv distributes all files attached with the text
message, virus and all. The newest viruses/worms do not even require that
the file be opened in order to infect the recipient PC -- it only requires
the right "host" be present, usually a Microsoft program like Outlook or
Word. Listserv definitely needs the option to distribute text-only messages
without any attached files. Apparently that used to be an option when you
set a files=no option in the header.
I use McAfee AntiVirus. A new virus database is available about every 10
days and maybe every month a new engine update is available. That engine
update frequency alone tells you how fast viruses are evolving. I would
expect frequent database updates, but frequent engine updates to detect the
new viruses is alarming. This isn't your father's internet anymore, to
borrow a phrase from Olds.
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