Bob Talbot <BobTalbot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote/replied to: >No files are safe to *Execute*: ALL files are safe to open within >appropriate programs. > >The problem is not the file type but user ignorance acting in synergy >with Microsoft's absurdly naive security defaults. > >The file you thought was a txt file but was really an exe could just >as easily have been one you thought was a jpg but was really an exe. >There was a comprehensive explanation in a recent Woody's Watch - >mandatory reading for anyone "blessed" with MS products. Main advice >is to save every attachment (or web-page-linked-file) to diak then >open it *unless* you are sure of yourself. Semantics... The sneaky thing they do is make a filename with a long name and the real extension is hidden way over on the right, easy to miss. like this importantinfo.txt .exe And they also insert that is was checked by such and such virus checker. They make it look like it was checked and the virus removed. In other words, people think it's safe to check it out. You can't blame Microsoft for this kind of thing, but I sure blame the AV people and ISPs for not blocking it! -- Need a brighter headlight the safe way? Get a MOTORCYCLE HEADLIGHT RELAY KIT at: http://ebeaver.oberro.com I'm a BMW rider and enthusiast Jim Davis
