Keep Viruses at Bay
Steve Bass
The day was going to be a breeze. My editor was out of town, I had no looming deadlines, and California still had electricity. Then I checked e-mail and met AnnaK.
It was a quick introduction, for sure. I had six Anna Kournikova attachments, my inbox was full of VIRUS ALERT!!! NO HOAX!!! messages, and my mother called her MIS guy (me), concerned she may get it. (No, Mom, don't worry.)
While most people were waiting for an update for their antivirus program, a couple of user group buddies put down their tennis rackets and cooked up a permanent remedy. And not just for the Anna Kournikova virus, but for any Visual Basic Script worm.
A VBS virus is really a worm that e-mails itself to everyone in your Microsoft Outlook address book. VBS worms are becoming increasingly common, and while they generally don't damage your PC, they clog your company's e-mail server. And they tick off your friends when they get e-mail with the worm attached.
The Manual Fix
If you like tinkering with Windows, there's a manual fix for stopping VBS worms. It's a 10-minute job and works by changing the way your PC handles VBS files. The strategy is obvious once you see it. After you've implemented this fix, when you double-click the file, instead of executing the script, it is opened in Notepad, which renders it harmless.
Rod Ream, my troubleshooting guru from the user group, and Tom Mainelli provide a step-by-step in " How to Trick the Anna Worm." It's a short, meaty article and worth a look.
Make Mine Automatic
My editor prefers, as he puts it, "a method a little less challenging," and asked me to find a utility program that stops VBS worm attacks with minimal effort. (Stop snickering. At least he doesn't use a Mac.)
For my boss--and you might as well take advantage, too--there's VBS Defender. It's a clever utility that automatically does everything explained in "How to Trick the Anna Worm." The small, free tool changes both the VBS File and JS File defaults from Open to Edit, and adds the "AlwaysShowExt" Registry key entry so you can see the file extensions in Windows Explorer.
VBS Defender won't ever need an update and protects you from other VBS worms. It's a PC World exclusive and written by user group buddy David Jung. Download your free copy.
Dig this: What to do if you don't download VBS Defender and then inadvertently send your boss a VBS worm.
Other Lurking Trojans and Viruses
While you're at it, PCW's Kim Zetter put together a terrific account of how a virus attacks and what you can do for protection. It's " Viruses 2000: A Special Report," and I encourage you to look it over.
For the top six tips on safeguarding your PC from viruses, read " Kill Viruses Before They Infect Your System."
Think old viruses never make a comeback? Melissa got a face-lift--well, a new strain erupted about two months ago--requiring antivirus software updates. The message? Some viruses go into hibernation and come back with the spring thaw. Read Lincoln Spector's special about Melissa.
Dig this: "Then there is no problem" is a flowchart for problem resolution in the workplace. It's ideal if your boss--or, uh, editor--resembles Dilbert's boss.
Fire Up Your Modem
Have some time for downloads? Don't kid me, I know you do.
The Antivirus Practice Lab gives you the opportunity to futz with simulated viruses, see how they work, and learn more about avoiding them.
If you're using Internet Explorer 5.0 through 5.5, you ought to grab this patch that closes the door on three security holes.
For the Portable Crowd
If you're using a Palm device, there's a chance you might pick up an infection. Computer Associates has an answer--and it's a freebie. Read about the 4KB InoculateIT for the Palm OS in " CA Puts Virus Protection in Your Palm."
You also need to be aware of the Liberty Crack, a Trojan horse that nibbles away at personal digital assistants, both the Palm and Handspring. There's news on it here.
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