Microsoft set up some tripwire software in some of the patches that triggers
when apps go after the address book. In the spy -vs.- spy world of computer
viruses, the kiddies have changed their tactics. This particular virus scans
files on your computer looking for stuff that looks like email addresses. In
this particular case, having a clean address book is not much help.

Mark Browne

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
For those of you who use Outlook Express, it has a really stupid option,
in
Tools Options Send:

"Automatically put people I reply to in my address book"

I believe this option is turned ON by default when Outlook Express is
installed. In any case, it should always be shut OFF. Otherwise, your
address book becomes a prime path for the spread of viruses which send
themselves to everyone you know.




"noah" wrote in message
...
...just wanted to give everyone a "heads up".

I recently received a few emails from rec.boats users concerning my
FAQ questions, and also concerning "scareing" a 20hp Merc to put out
30hp.

Almost immediately, my rec.boats email addy started getting thumped
with virus attachments. I haven't sent the virus to McAfee yet, but
it is probably one of the current email worms or bugs. I update every
couple of days, use a firewall, and also use an email quarantine
utility, so it didn't get through to my system.

************************************************** ****************
Most of the virus email subjects repute to be a "Microsoft Security
Update", or related MS Upgrade. A few subjects referred to
"Undeliverable Mail".
************************************************** ****************

Be careful. Don't click on *any* executable (in this case it's 104Kb)
unless you know what it is.

Anyone who has emailed me recently should do a thorough virus scan,
with an updated protection program. It's a pretty good bet that one
of you has the virus, and it put me on the sucker list.

As you were... )
noah