Re: internet virus

[Gerald Wyckoff <gwyckoff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> (by way of jcushing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Janet A. Cushing))]

> 
> For what its worth -
> 
> I've heard from several people that the internet "Good Times" virus is a
> hoax.  I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry, but there's probably no
> need to panic.
> 
> Liane Cochran-Stafira
> 
> 
        In fact, I have heard the same thing- not only is it a hoax, but it
 is worse than that- the mailing itself was a clever way to do a chain letter
 but bypass the Internet mail rules against chain letters.

        Initially, it was said that just reading the virus could trigger it-
it was than changed to "had to be downloaded onto your PC".

        There is nothing in the headers of mail files that could launch an 
application from an ASCII buffer.

        Several progammers I have spoken to confirmed this.  Still better safe
than sorry, but this letter went around the internet on various mail groups
about three months ago (and on several mailists) and I have not heard about
 any mysterious system crashes occuring in that time, so don't panic.

        
                        Take care-
                                        Jerry