10-05-2004, 11:55 AM
I never run anything that I get in the mail that is suppose to fix a "security" problem. If i'm going to install something thats suppose to fix the problem with windows I use windows updater or grab it right off the Microsoft site.
I also use a text only e-mail browser that will not auto launch things. Its called Agent. Since I have been using it I have gotten lots of things that were suppose to auto launch. These things have hit my friends that use outlook or other html browsers.
I just sit back and read, if its in html format only I just delete it. I used to do that to my friends e-mails. I told him if he wants me to read his e-mails send them in text only or text and html format. He finally did after about 5 important messages to me that I never read.
Setting up your e-mail browser so that it don't auto launch crap is the first step in protection again e-mails like this. The second is to not launch anything that is sent to you from any company that is saying its a patch for their program.
Companies NEVER send out stuff like that. They will however send a link to download the patch off of their home page but only if you sent them an e-mail asking for help with the problem.
So if you get an e-mail saying download this patch to fix such and such a problem... DON'T!
I also use a text only e-mail browser that will not auto launch things. Its called Agent. Since I have been using it I have gotten lots of things that were suppose to auto launch. These things have hit my friends that use outlook or other html browsers.
I just sit back and read, if its in html format only I just delete it. I used to do that to my friends e-mails. I told him if he wants me to read his e-mails send them in text only or text and html format. He finally did after about 5 important messages to me that I never read.
Setting up your e-mail browser so that it don't auto launch crap is the first step in protection again e-mails like this. The second is to not launch anything that is sent to you from any company that is saying its a patch for their program.
Companies NEVER send out stuff like that. They will however send a link to download the patch off of their home page but only if you sent them an e-mail asking for help with the problem.
So if you get an e-mail saying download this patch to fix such and such a problem... DON'T!