What is happening - why am I getting all this strange email?
------------------------------------------------------------
A number of new viruses, most recently Novarg/MyDoom, are used to steal
information (files, passwords, etc), attack other computer systems, and
send spam and viruses through addressbooks.

There are two important things to know:
---------------------------------------
1) All these new viruses require you to manually run them by opening the
attachment in your email.  If nobody ran the attachment the virus would
not infect anyone.  The message content is designed to entice the user to
run the attachment, claiming to be a security update, a picture file, or
as in the Novarg/Mydoom case, it hides the filename to make it look like a
"harmless" text file, when in fact it is a program (virus).
2) Many viruses forge the sender address, picking at random from an
infected system's address books and files. Therefore, if you see a virus
sent to you, the From address is UNLIKELY to be the real source.  This is
also the reason why you will see messages from anti-virus systems telling
you that your computer is infected, since they incorrectly trust the From
address.

These viruses only affect Microsoft Windows systems, and it does not
matter which mail reader is used since all you have to do is open the
attachment to become infected by the virus.

How to Prevent
--------------
1) NEVER open an attachment from an unknown source, and even a known
source if it is unexpected or suspicious.  If in doubt, verify with the
sender first.
2) If using peer-to-peer software, (eDonkey, eMule, Kaaza) be aware that a
recent study concluded nearly half of all programs available on a popular
file sharing network were viruses or trojans.
3) Run up-to-date antivirus software with current definition files.  Set
it to automatically update itself DAILY.
4) If possible, set your computer to automatically apply Windows critical
security updates DAILY.

For a more in-depth explanation, please go to the following website:
http://www.cns.yorku.ca
CNS News
Novarg/MyDoom affecting York mail


CNS Announce