Bug or Feature? We've Got the Answers

Here's how to handle snags with service packs, Outlook Express, and more.

Rants and pleas about misbehaving software often fill your letters to bugs@pcworld.com. So this month, I thought I would address some of your most common queries.

After installing Service Pack 1 for Internet Explorer 6.0, I haven't been able to open file attachments in Outlook Express 6.0. Is there anything I can do?

This problem involves a new default security setting that Microsoft put in place as part of the service pack for IE. To change the default so you can view attachments again, click Tools, Options in Outlook Express and select the Security tab. Under 'Virus Protection', click Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus to clear the option's check box. Then click OK. For additional information, go to the Microsoft Knowledge Base article.

I took your advice (see "Proceed With Caution When Using Microsoft Patch") and installed Service Pack 1 for Windows XP, but now I can't switch between e-mail accounts in Outlook Express. Is this a bug?

Microsoft is aware of the problem but hasn't said when (or whether) it will fix it. This is a pain for people who need to set up multiple accounts (or identities) in Outlook Express to manage different e-mail in-boxes. There is a way around the problem, though.

In OE, click File, Identities, Manage Identities. Click Use this identity when starting a program to clear its check box, and click Close. Thereafter, OE will prompt you--twice--to select an identity every time you open OE. For more information, read Microsoft's brief Knowledge Base article.

I received an e-mail about how to stop viruses from spreading. Referring to a PC World article, the anonymous writer advised me to enter!000 as a contact in my Outlook or Outlook Express address book. Thereafter,!000 would appear as the first entry and prevent worms from e-mailing themselves to everyone in my address book. Is this true?

I hate to burst that bubble of hope, but the answer is no. Similar e-mail messages have been making the rounds for a couple of years, and the advice is bogus. Ignore it.

You're much better off getting an antivirus package and keeping it up-to-date. Visit Hoax Busters for details about this hoax, and go to "How to Spot Virus Hoaxes a Mile Off " for tips on how to identify virus hoaxes in general.

Holey Windows: Eight Flaws Get Fixed

Microsoft has plugged eight new security holes affecting its Java Virtual Machine. The most serious glitch could allow an attacker to take over your PC remotely and perform any action that you could. The VM shipped as part of nearly all flavors of Windows and Internet Explorer. Nevertheless, you may not be affected by the problem (Microsoft stopped shipping the VM at different stages, only to start shipping it again later). Head to Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-069 to learn more and to get a link to the patch.

In Brief

Netscape Update

Netscape is now shipping version 7.01 of its browser. Netscape says that the updated version is more stable than its predecessor. Go to Netscape for a free download, and you can access Netscape's release notes along with the list of known problems here.

Outlook Weakness

An attacker could exploit a vulnerability in Outlook to send you a message that would repeatedly crash your e-mail application. Check out the Security Update for Microsoft Outlook 2002 patch.

Flash Flaw

Macromedia has fixed a serious hole in its Macromedia Flash Player that a bad guy could have exploited to take over your PC if you clicked an infected Flash (SWF) file. Go to Macromedia's Download Center for more details and for the updated Flash Player (version 6,0,65,0).

Bugged?

Found a hardware or software bug? Tell us about it via e-mail at bugs@pcworld.com.

Stuart J. Johnston is a contributing editor for PC World. Click here for more Bugs and Fixes columns.