We'd like to warn all of our clients and friends who use Outlook or Outlook Express that they may be vulnerable to a new virus that appears to have struck today. The new virus is called BadTrans.B, and can infect any system on which Outlook or Outlook Express is used to read e-mails. Even worse, it can infect a system without any attachment being opened. You need to apply a patch to your system in order to protect it from this type of virus. The patch is provided via a link in the InfoWorld article below.

Please review the following links ASAP:

http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/01/11/26/011126hnbadtrans.xml?1126mnpm

and

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.badtrans.b@mm.html

We've already received 6 Badtrans.B virus laden e-mails just today.

The key elements to detecting the virus laden e-mails is that:

1) The message comes back blank.
2) The sender's e-mail has a "_" in front of the e-mail address, e.g. instead of fred@bonairewhatever.com, you'll see the sender address as _fred@bonairewhatever.com.
3) The subject of the message is "Re: WHATEVER", where "WHATEVER" is the subject of a message you've sent the to person whose computer is sending you the virus.

Please keep your anti-virus software up to date and use it often!

Jake

Something REALLY weird is happening..I am getting emails from Antigua and Bonaire from some folks I know or do NOT know and it opens Windows Media but then cannot open the file. One from my friend in BON was titled me nude..I suspect this is some virus..ughh..the weird thing is the title is an OLD subject line with NO indication there is an attachment thus I open it and voila..some weird thing ...what is this?

Annie
Cape Cod

What it did was tried to run a MPEG file (with indecent names) or something like that. They orginated from one person in Bonaire and three from Antigua .

Annie Cape Cod

Thanks for the warning on the virus, Jake. It truly irks me to know that some folks get pleasure out of screwing up the lives of others. I will keep an eye out for this one and will warn others that I know. Thanks again. Carole

Anne,
Sure hope you have an anti-virus software program-- not sure if you got hit-- but if you have an anti-virus-- run it now and do not go into email unless you are sure that you are virus free--Good Luck--

Annie,

It sounds like you're getting the virus sent to you. Take Jan's advice...

Jake

Annie, the "me nude" is listed on the Symantic.com virus page as possibly being assoicated with the virus mentioned by Jake. I would suggest using your anti virus software and also visiting the site Jake has "linked" up above for us. It does not sound like a fatal virus...Symantec states it is fairly easy to remove...pull up the link and follow the directions. Or go to the site of the anti virus software you have installed on your system....keep us posted as to your progress. Carole

We have about 20 email addresses at work that are general boxes, and from the last one that went around, and this new one, we have about 50-60 virus emails a day come in per email address. We just don't open anything with an attachment period, as the email that comes into these addresses are from our viewers...

Here's a news story about law changes being contemplated regarding folks who create the Viruses :-)

http://www.satirewire.com/news/0112/hate_crime.shtml

Jake

That's a GREAT site, Jake! Thanks for the laughs and the link!! What is really scary is that the stories are so "on point" and close to real life as we know it....good stuff. Carole

PS I guess you have found more time to "surf" the net while you are recouperating, eh?!

Thanks for the "laugh out loud" when I went to that site at work yesterday. Now they know I'm crazy.

Thanks Jake,
Went on to explore more of the site. Yes Josie I'm sitting here laughing out loud as my wife wonders if I'm finally going off the deep end.

As an older computer user I found this page most interesting http://www.satirewire.com/features/siliconpines/acf.shtml
Now that I have learned about it,I'm concerned about the seriousness of reinstalzheimers, and wondering what can be done to combat it.

Windows XP, FYI important to users or would-be users of.

An open 'back door' has been identified in Windows XP that can allow an outsider to take control of a computer connected online. This URL has an article about the 'back door' and Microsoft's 'fix' that is online.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,41282,00.html

And another URL w/ more info.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,76870,00.asp

And Microsoft touts XP as 'its most secure OS yet'. Then says this part of the OS 'is very much under development' and 'to be used later' yet publishs it. Strange way to run a ship. Good old Billy G.

I should read more carefully before posting--this also is a hole in Windows ME, and W98 patched for universal plug and play. They should receive the new security patch(s).

Thanks for the "heads up" on the Windows "glitch" or whatever they called it on their site. I have downloaded the patch. I am on ME. Thanks again, Glen.....can't rely on Mr. Gates to notify his customers, now, can we??!! Carole