Outlook flaw riskier than thought

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Why is that?: I am a Microsoft MVP for Outlook and have been for the past 5 years. Now why would I get infected with Melissa (no one I know from the Department of Health Services "loves me" and if they report that they do, the report goes to the CHP), or HAHA@sexyfun.whatever, or any of the other myriad social engineered viruses and worms? I run Outlook (2003) at its default settings and don't see HTML tags or images. Attachments such as .exe, .pif, .scr, .bat do not even appear in my mailbox. Tell me again how you don't believe me.

However, despite that particular credential, why do you find it so hard to believe that out of the millions of Windows computers and users, there are actually people who use Windows who know what they are doing?

As for the "constant" patching, do you patch your OS when you have an update? I just patched my iBook last night with a patch I had missed since I had not used it for a week or so. As for my .dat files, they download and install automatically on a nightly schedule. No pain there. I run Antigen on my Exchange server - set to check for updates nightly in the background and install when found - again, no pain there. As for the MS patches, none of the ones that came out yesterday apply to any of my systems (Windows XP Profesional, Windows Enterprise Server 2003, Exchange 2003)

I use AdAware and my system consistently comes up clean - except for some cookies I would rather not persist. They get deleted.

You seem to think that the world of Windows is one where we are constantly beset by viruses, worms, patches, virus .dats that require 24/7 attention while we wring our hands and cringe just waiting for the next attack. Meanwhile, you enjoy a worry free existence.

Guess what? My patching is via a SUS server (invisible in the background and reboots - when required - are on MY schedule.) I run Norton Corporate and check for updates nightly - they also install silently. As for Service Packs - yes, I apply them and reboot when necessary.

The other 23.99 hours of the day, I spend using my computer to do work, play, converse with friends, laugh out loud at some of the outrageousness I find here daily, and occasionally post when I feel inclined - oh, and when I am not using my computer, I sleep, eat, work out, se movies, go out with friends for dinner, and don't even think about computers.

Your insistence that the world of Windows users has no one of even average intelligence in it does your point of view no good as for the excellent alternatives out there. As I have said before in these forums, I am not a Windows Only user - I have recently (1.5 years ago) purchased an iBook and just upgraded to Panther last month. I also have a couple of Linux boxes here, although the learning curve is different but no less hard than Windows for a novice. I am a Windows user by choice, who is keeping an eye out for the other guys to learn what I can from their models.

On a side note, I must comment that the OSS boards are a LOT less forgiving of newcomers from the Windows world - Note to OSS newbies - a thick skin is required - if you don't want to be flamed, don't mention your prior OS.; Posted by: Confused by religion Posted on: 03/10/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use