Is it possible to get virus from newsgroup header?

[Colin]

Just wondering if I click on a message that is HTML and a large size can I
get a virus?

Thanks Colin

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Just wondering if I click on a message that is HTML and a large size can I
get a virus?

Thanks Colin

Yes. The Pretty Park virus was spread this way and is one reason we dislike
HTML being posted in these groups.

 

[Colin]

Thanks I'll try and keep my eye on the size of those messages.

Colin

 

[Malvern]

Yes. The Pretty Park virus was spread this way and is one reason we dislike
HTML being posted in these groups.

What minimum size post is needed for HTML and/or how can I determine it is
one ? I have a 3 Kb plain text post ready to go but fear people won't open
it out of justifiable fear it's a virus. I was going to put most of it as a
Notepad attachment but THAT is now a guarantee it won't e read either.

Malv

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Another precaution to take is to set Outlook Express to view all
HTML posts to plain text. This negates any malicious code that may
lie embedded within the HTML. If the post proves innocuous, you can
then click the attachment icon to view it in its original format.

In OE, Tools > Options > Read > "Read all messages in plain text."

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Yes. The Pretty Park virus was spread this way and is one reason we
dislike HTML being posted in these groups.

And one of the reasons I personally turn off html in Outlook
Express by going to Tools | Options and on the Read tab, checking
"Read all messages in plain text."

 

[Harry Ohrn]

I'm not certain about a minimum size but suspect that posts under 20K should
be OK. Pretty Park was 32K if I remember correctly. I doubt that a 3K file
would be seen as a problem especially due to being plain text. However most
people in technical groups do not appreciate HTML posts nor do we like
attachments so you should avoid posting them. There are plenty of groups
where posting HTML is fine if people feel the need to fancy up a post.

 

[Colin]

Thank you all, that helps.

Colin

Greetings --

Another precaution to take is to set Outlook Express to view all
HTML posts to plain text. This negates any malicious code that may
lie embedded within the HTML. If the post proves innocuous, you can
then click the attachment icon to view it in its original format.

In OE, Tools > Options > Read > "Read all messages in plain text."

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[tamerlane]

Thanks, Bruce.

Greetings --

Another precaution to take is to set Outlook Express to view all
HTML posts to plain text. This negates any malicious code that may
lie embedded within the HTML. If the post proves innocuous, you can
then click the attachment icon to view it in its original format.

In OE, Tools > Options > Read > "Read all messages in plain text."

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You're welcome.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You're welcome.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Anon y mous]

Another tip is to use mail rules and delete any message containing
"iframe"... this prevents messages from opening up when autopreview hits a
message. This prevents you from being sent to a malicious web site.