DUST ON THE BIBLE

Dear Friends, there is a lot of reading here.. but it is URGENT.

There is a new windows flaw that is reaking havoc among
computer users. The letter below is from my friend Ron
who runs a technical list, and some websites I got from
CNET.com explaining the windows vulnerability.

You can get it from a IM (instant message)
or from visiting a website. You can get it from certain emails
with images in them.

So.. my suggestions. For the next week, do not visit websites.
For the next week, if someone sends you a IM with a image
or link in it.. do not respond.

It is your choice whether to download the unofficial
patch. So far the antivirus companies have not found a patch
to fight this worm. It is pretty interesting the new technology
being used.

Folks you must have a antivirus. Nortons or Mcafee
(my preference is mcafee), Ive had far less trouble with it.
You can get a free one online from AVG

Click here: Grisoft Freeweb: AVG Free Edition
click on this link and download it. You can run
two antiviruses at the same time, they will not
interfere with each other. You cannot however
run two firewalls at the same time.

Please take time to read all the information below.
Keep all your windows updates downloaded
automatically.

You can set up automatic updates by going to
start button
control panel
click on security
then enable auto updates
(windows xp)
I believe on windows millenium you go
to start, control panel, and there is a auto update icon,
this is a absolute must. If you do it manually
do it every Thursday or Friday.

If you need tech help, or free antivirus, programs
or firewalls write to me. If I dont know the answer
I will refer you to someone who does. If you need
to know how to maintain your computer weekly,
write to me, I will send you a itemized list.
For free :)

INformation below is urgent:

    I have 3 links here all about the same trojan that is creating havoc all relating to a WMF File being attached to an email. There is even a debate going on that the minute you open an email with a "wmf file" the trojan will be installed, there is info that this will occur using Internet Explorer.

    I know some of you are saying I have a firewall and an antivirus program I don't need to worry about it well the code for the trojan is now available online which means it can be altered and neither will work.
    If you take the time to open the 3 links you will see each security vendor has a different name for the same trojan, one version is even offering a free virus scan and asking for a credit card number so phishing is also involved. With the code out and about just about anything can pop up next getting you to open a email and the only thing Microsoft is doing is telling you to set security level to high which means many web sites just may not work but that becomes old very quick. What I would do is avoid any new web sites for the rest of the week, especially over New Years day, if you just have to go to one good luck is all I can say. Everyday check to see if your antivirus is up to date and even then avoid those emails from out of cyber space (mostly spam).

ZDNet: Printer Friendly - Trojan delivers unwanted gift to Windows PCs

Critical Impact: Windows Metafile Flaw a 'Zero-Day Exploit'

Secunia - Advisories - Microsoft Windows WMF "SETABORTPROC" Arbitrary Code Execution

I sent out info about this WMF (Windows Media File) worm running around last week and it has turned into a mess. One says install a patch from an outside source for windows, the next breath says wait. With microsoft it is always a wait and their patch is "suppose" to be issued the 10th but you never hold your breath waiting for microsoft.

    The total number of web sites that have the exploit in it to take over your computer is over 80 at last count and almost all the antivirus programs have not been able to keep up with all of them. I had a link here and closed it out alonng the way by mistake but it showed 6 different websites that have the exploit in them, the one I do remember was a bath remodeling company. It shows that the miscreats will go to any extremes to sneak into your computer.

    Here are the latest links that I have that might help you make your own decision, please don't ask me, read the pros and cons of installing a patch by others or waiting for microsofts patch next tuesday. One very bad point is win98 will NOT have a patch by microsoft as the end of cycle has been reached for that version.

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Windows users waiting for serious fix [printer-friendly] | The Register

PCWorld.com - Microsoft Urges Users to Wait for Official Patch

PCWorld.com - Experts: Windows Flaw Can't Wait for Microsoft Fix

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***************************Click here: Windows flaw spawns dozens of attacks | Tech News on ZDNet

Click here: Images: Sites infected with WMF Trojan | News Images on ZDNet

Click here: » Wait for Microsoft WMF patch, no thanks! | George Ou | ZDNet.com

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