There are no generic email viruses - there are too many email systems,
operating systems, processor types etc.
It is quite possible to use email to distribute a specific virus - eg
a "free" program that if you run it may infect a type of computer -
but if it were a Win95 virus the program would not run on Macs. And
you would only be infected if you ran the program - which in general
is a specific action you have to take.
More dangerous may be the Word (and other application) viruses -
becasue many people are more suspicious of programs but accept a Word
document. But again - you are at risk only if you open the document.
The solution is relatively simple - a good virus scanner will catch
most viruses - I run VShield and that picked up the recent virus in
this group. None are 100% effective, so if in doubt - don't open
attachments = but you can read your mail.
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Virus?
Author: daly <> at ~pau-smtp
Date: 08/4/98 15:07
How can you send a virus via email unless you are sending someone
software? An email message cannot contain a virus, only games and
downloaded software contain such things, or I am I wrong? There are
frequent bogus virus alarms on the net.
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