MSN TROUBLE PAGE.     If anything comes up with MSN read it here first. So much has and currently going on still at MSN that is is affecting this community, and other MSN communities. This page will listed the current troubles and a couple of replies by other group Managers, and possible fixes.     August 20, 2003 to Present.  Sobig virus wreaks e-mail havoc! Computer security experts say they have made significant progress to beat the Sobig Windows virus, but havoc looks set to continue into the weekend. The virus has generated so much e-mail that many inboxes are now completely full and are bouncing back new messages, which is only adding to the problems Sobig is causing. Net giant AOL said it had stopped more than 23 million copies of the virus and e-mail filtering firm MessageLabs said it had caught more than 3.5 million. But Sobig has a sting in its tail. Between 1900 and 2200 GMT (2000-2300 BST) on Friday and Sunday the worm has been programmed to automatically point infected PCs to a server controlled by the virus writer from which a malicious program could be downloaded. At the moment, anti-virus experts do not know what could happen, but possibilities include launching another virus or spam attack, collecting sensitive information, or deleting files stored on an infected computer or network. Data deluge Many companies reported that their internal networks had suffered because of Sobig and the Welchi and MSBlast worms that preceded it. Hundreds of thousands of PCs appear to be infected by the Sobig F virus, the sixth variant of a malicious program that first appeared in January this year. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM VIRUSES Install an anti-virus program. Keep it up to date   Get the latest patches and updates for your operating system   Never automatically open e-mail attachments Download or purchase software from trusted, reputable sources   Make backups of important files   Anti-virus firms were surprised at the success that Sobig has enjoyed as it relies on tricking people into opening it and clicking on its attachment to spread rather than via any technological tricks. E-mails bearing the virus are easy to spot because they have one of eight subject lines, most of which begin with "Re:". Virus flood The attack seems to have caught out a lot of people in China. About 30% of China's net users, about 20 million people, have been infected by the virus according to figures collected by Chinese security firm Beijing Rising Technology Shareholding Co. SOBIG SUBJECT LINES Re: details Re: approved Re: my details Re: Thankyou! Re: That movie Re: wicked screensaver Re: your application Your details Thankyou   "We haven't seen anything spread so fast," said a spokeswoman for Rising Technology. "It could get worse because there's very limited awareness of viruses and preventive measures."         > Message Board Problem "I can't post..." Post :  I have had some emails from members and also a couple of postings saying that members cant post messages on our community, please help me with this.  I have told them all the usual things like delete cookies and things but it wont help them. I will included there messages to me so you can see what they are saying.   Replies:  This has happened to me, on the odd occcasion. The best way that i've found to get round it, is just to refresh the screen, and it always clears the problem, and comes up with the normal screen. Other Reply's:  I get that same problem all the time - every day! Sometimes it helps to get all the way out of the site and then come back in, but not always.  And no, it won't let you type ANYTHING - there is NO text box!  Most of the time, if it is the FIRST reply I attempt on the site, it's ok.  But if I try to reply to a second posting, it does it to me and won't clear out.  VERY frustrating!   Vanishing Messages... If you post anything within the next couple of days and your post is gone, don't think that the Elders deleted your post.  If we delete your post we will usually e-mail you and/or leave a message of the next post in your topic and the reason why.               Do you have a question or comment? Just click above to E-Mail the Elders of this group, and we will try to handle your issue(s) as soon as possible.           Last updated on June 26, 2004