Roger Halstead wrote in message \

They are mail and newsgroup reader problems and *nearly*
all can be prevented by properly configuring said programs. Turn off
the ability to read mail in HTML, don't let macros run, disable Java,
and above all don't open attachments until after verifying whoever
really sent it. This is particularly true if the thing came from some
one you know. How many times have you heard some one say, Oh, I don't
worry. I only open attachments from people I know. Now there is a
prime candidate for a virus.

MS operating systems are written for the masses. It depends on your
definition of computer literate, but unless you make the definition
very lenient there are few computer users who are computer literate.

Thats the exact problem as I see it. The *average* e-mail user, who
has little on the ball as far as puters is left to the wolves because
MS installs all that stuff with all the options wide open. And unless
you go and read all the docs to learn how to turn it off, the average
user will not even be aware that they are at risk. And you know how
many probably read the docs....Yep, about 4.27%...If MS gave a real
hoot about protecting peoples security, they would install with it all
turned off, and instruct the user to turn on features as or if needed.
But nooooooo......The average users first instruction on the problem,
or feature that led to the problem, is after they are cleaning out a
macro virus. And with a virus like sobigf, you could go for months
without knowing you had it , unless someone finally tells you. The
sent emails are forged with someone in the address book, or whatever.
Then, hummmmm, they finally learn about attachement problems, etc..
It's kind of the same way with the "ports" that MS likes to leave wide
open with a default install. The average user won't have a clue his
box is wide open. Well, Maybe if he stumbles across Gibson research or
whatever...
A good majority of the outlook virus problem victims are e-mail
readers that could give a hoot about puter OS's, outlook or whatever.
They plug it in, and dial up. MS doesn't do them any favors by leaving
them wide open to attack, and not even telling them about it in a
noticable manner. There are worms out now that need no e-mail
connection. They are planting them through open ports I think. I don't
keep up with all the "new" OS problems much. I only worry about the
one I'm running at the time. MK