<html> Ron and all, At 04:08 AM 9/4/99 -0400, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite cite>Since I put together a presentation on Internet-originating security hazards (Viruses, Trojan Horses, and Worms) for the KC Cybercafe, I've been monitoring a couple of sites to see if anything new is on the horizon. I wasn't surprised to discover a couple of rather new problems and, since they sound particularly "troublematic," I thought I'd pass them along to you. </blockquote> Hmmm - do you have anything in PowerPoint or Presentations that you might be willing to share? <blockquote type=cite cite>The first one deals with Internet Explorer 5 - the newest version. Here's the headline from MSNBC. It's linked to the article as all you have to do is click on it. <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/news/305560.asp#BODY">IE5 flaw leaves PCs vulnerable.</a> There are some key actions you must take to prevent someone from running amok with your computer. If you've installed the latest version of Internet Explorer [IE5], this is must read material! </blockquote> Our office (400+ machines) has stuck with IE4.  The "integration enhancements" between IE5 and whatever-flavor-Windows one is running often (seem to) lead to unpredictable operation, let alone internet security issues. Depending on how your internet connection is setup, you might consider finding out if your ISP offers some kind of firewall service.  For those of us whose main connection is through a College or University, policies seem to vary wildly about these issues.  While my office machine is constantly on, it sits behind a modest "screen" which can trap attempts at unauthorized entry.  My home machine is physically disconnected from the phoneline/network when I am not actively on the internet. <blockquote type=cite cite>The second Internet "treat" won't actually start causing problems until December 13 (No, it's a Monday - what could be worse than Friday the Thirteenth? A "thursday virus" that strikes on Monday!!), but lest you forget -- and this is one helluva nasty virus, so you don't want to forget about it! -- here are links to the  MSNBC article on the so-called "<a href="http://www.msnbc.com/news/307497.asp">Thursday virus</a>" and another one to the <a href="http://www.datafellows.com/virus-info/virus-news/">Datafellows: Virus News</a> website where you can often find software to combat these viruses. </blockquote> Get a good virus program, keep it updated, use it.  Better yet, use two; one "live", one for manual, or less frequent runs. <blockquote type=cite cite>Play it safe, folks! </blockquote> Backup.  Backup.  Backup. And test 'em.  They have no value if you don't know that they work. Sorry if this sounds like so much "metooism".  Our service group has a constant barrage of laptop/home users who disable their virus software,  blow off making sure that their machines are backed up, etc., etc., and then wonder why they lose _everything_ on their machines. Hope everyone is able to take some time to relax and enjoy the weekend. Best regards to all. Horace </html>