Date:Tue, 26 Aug 2003 16:02:21 -0500
Reply-To:Sean Roberts <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
From:Sean Roberts <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:Re: Virus Alert: w32.sobig.f@mm
Comments:To: Michael Cotleur <[log in to unmask]>
Content-Type:text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Yep - it's probably every 3 years if I think about it. Why?
There are 2 types of updates to consider. The first is the virus
definitions that you pay for with the annual fee. The second is the
technology updates that come with new versions of the software. Norton (and
others) have hooks into all sorts of places in the Operating System, Email
clients etc. Every once in a while, the hackers will find some new means to
infect which is not being monitored by the current antivirus software.
Although some of these infections will install themselves and then get
picked up the Anti-Virus software full disk scan (assuming you have that
turned on). Others will have their merry way with your disk. It's these new
infection types that require the new version of the software. A good
example of new infections was the macros virus that came buried inside word
documents some 3-4 years ago. Microsoft continues to add on new technology
to their OS in order to get people to upgrade. Some of these new
technologies are vulnerable to whatever. As MS can't test everything, it;s
up to the SW and hacker world to find the gaps (Thanks MS). The latest OS -
XP - was meant to incorporate wireless capapbilites in a more user friendly
package. While not a new path for virus', it does open the door for hacks
where no firewall exists. Who knows what other bonus functionality MS has
added (often in preparation for future capapbilities) which are potential
hack/virus points.
So, to some extent, I've outsourced the problem to Symantec, MacAfee to deal
with. They get the reports from the world and are responsible for staying
on top of things, hack points, virus defs etc. I'll take responsibility for
sorting out their releases and figuring out which one includes true new
protection vs add functionality that I may or may not need(i.e. Live
Updates)
Sean Roberts
-------------------------------------------------------
ofc: 817.421.9669 cell: 817.614.7750
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Cotleur" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 6:03 AM
Subject: Re: Virus Alert: w32.sobig.f@mm
Sean,
You "update Norton every two years"? Seems
odd to me; I pay them annually to keep their stuff
current; they send me internet upgrades all year
long, sometimes >once/week. We have cable; my
wife is an MBA prof; just this past Sunday she had
almost 300 worms POUR into her MS Outlook a/c.
I never see this stuff in my work MS Outlook
a/c, but I know someone is using my address,
because I occasionally get "out of office replies"
(like this morning). Ed Marco - believe me:
nothing we can do about That!
Michael D. Cotleur, F.E.R.C. Trial Attorney
tel. (202) 502-8519 fax. (202) 502-6147
"L'homme est ce qu'il fait." (Andre Malraux)
