Virus information sources

[J. Johnson]

With the news today and yesterday about a new, highly destructive computer
virus, there will most likely be a few people e-mailing warnings to
friends and associates.  While these messages are generally well-intended,
it is the uncritical acceptance of such messages by which _hoax_ warnings,
such as the infamous "Good Times", are propagated.  *No* information which
purports to warn about a virus should be accepted as true--and most
certainly _not_ passed on!--without being checked with an authoritative
source.  Two highly recommended authoritative sources are the Computer
Information Advisory Center, and the Computer Emergency Response Team
Coordination Center.  URLs for their web pages are below; these also have
links to the web pages of the major anti-virus software vendors. 

	CIAC:  http://www.ciac.org/
	CERT:  http://www.cert.org/

I should point out that the current virus will not damage your files on
SCN.  You need be concerned only if you meet all three of the following
conditions:  1) you download your mail to your own computer (e.g., with
POP),  2) you have your mail program set to automatically execute certain
programs such as 'zip', and  3) your system is MS Windows.  But don't take
my word for this--check with an authoritative source.

=== JJ =================================================================

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