BVE: VIRUS!!!

[tube_dude]

Hello,

There is a known Virus spreading around BVE fans. A few details are below.

The E-Mail can be a named 'Movie' or 'Details' with a .zip as an attachment always named 'your_details.zip'

The sender is named: DWS88888@aol.com

Watch Out!

[JulieADriver]

RE: VIRUS!!!

While we appreciate the warning, there are simply too many new virii being created all the time to warrant warnings (unless BVE programs happen to be infected).

Two simple rules:

1. Get an anti-virus program. One is available for free: http://www.grisoft.com
2. Don't open strange e-mail attachments.

[mailer_diablo]

RE: VIRUS!!!

For more information and removal instructions on W32.Sobig.E@mm virus, look here :

http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sobig.e@mm.html

[Largslad]

RE: VIRUS!!!

Bit awkward, this one. I don’t want to ruffle any feathers but I agree both with Tube_Dude’s posting and the nub of Julie Anne’s reply. T_D didn’t explain how the virus was getting round the BVE community but it’s well known that some viruses can grab a mailing list and use it to further their nefarious ends. If such a virus has fixed onto the mailing list of an active member of the BVE community then, to me, that is as good as having virus-infected BVE programs, route, sound or object files.

The worst sin when discovering a virus is to e-mail everyone you know with a warning. My employer, a leading (the leading) computer manufacturer, expressly forbids passing on warnings about viruses via e-mail as this can have a similarly unproductive effect in that it ties up people, computers and networks. I don’t, however, see as much harm in warning people through a forum, where a single message such as T_D’s can reach many visitors at relatively little cost.

A little analogy. A group of people meet regularly and, after the meeting, pop off down to the ‘local’ for a couple of drinks. One of the group, on the way to the meeting, notices a sign at said local saying it will be closed that evening. If that person addresses the meeting as a group (posts on the forum) then everyone affected knows, but if said person elects to call everyone on their mobile and warn them personally then, well, that’s a waste, see above. And if some of the group don’t have mobiles or the informant doesn’t know their number, they don’t get to know. I know which way of getting that particular message I’d prefer. (In the parallel case of a virus, though, with N*rt*n AV I don’t think I, personally, would be affected – I’d have the local newspaper where the landlord had advertised the closure.)

Yes, we should all have our own supply of booze (we should all have an anti-virus program) and we shouldn’t open strange e-mail attachments (we should know of a couple of alternative pubs). All very true and desirable but not always achievable due to ancillary costs or simple inclination. May I also ask - how do you know to trust a free anti-virus program? Not opening strange e-mail attachments is pure common sense but we humans were born with other, competing, senses, called curiosity, vanity and gullibility. These are what viruses rely on to propagate.

So, thank you, Tube_Dude for posting a warning, and thank you, Julie Anne for reminding us we should take responsibility for ourselves and our systems, that we should be vigilant and should protect ourselves against such menaces. ‘Should’, unfortunately, cannot always be translated to ‘must’.

Viruses may not be a ‘valid’ BVE topic as such but is there any harm in the occasional (repeat, occasional) reminder that they are lurking and ready to pounce? I think we can trust the Moderators to ensure that the forum is not unnecessarily flooded with virus warnings, there are plenty of other places on the net that specialise in that subject.

[Rufus]

RE: VIRUS!!!

Thanks for your warning, Damon. I have Norton and I haven't any trouble with that.

Cheers.

[tube_dude]

RE: VIRUS!!!

The thing is,it was on a bve mailing list, that is why I posted.

Thanks for that explanation Chris, just what i was about to say lol