 dadkinsCan you do Blu?Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
kudos:18 | Yet another reason Yet another reason I'm glad I don't use an email client. Even if(ha ha) my system were to get infected, it can't send email. I haven't even ran OE(or any other client).:D |
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 RhobitePremium
join:2002-02-24
Cambridge, MA | said by dadkins:
Even if(ha ha) my system were to get infected, it can't send email.
First off, even if you deleted the icon you still have OE on your system. But many worms don't even NEED a functioning copy of OE, they use their own SMTP engine to propagate. There have been worms that harvested e-mail addresses off web sites. MyDoom harvests addresses from files on your computer. Worms can also propagate through P2P and instant messaging.
Now you're probably a smart user and your webmail probably scans for viruses. But don't think that you're completely invulnerable just because you don't use the copy of OE that's installed on your computer.
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Jimmysquid.com - I take pictures. |
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dadkinsCan you do Blu?Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
kudos:18 | Yes, OE is still on this system, but it has never been ran. No addresses to find, no address books used or installed. If a worm does get on here, it has my permission to email my antivirus company(or any other auto-updating software I have) as much as it likes.
Thanks for your concern though. |
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| Like Rhobite said, it doesn't matter if you have used (or are currently using) an email client, as far as some worms are concerned. The worms search various files (not just address book formats) for email addresses and use a self-contained SMTP engine to send out email on your connection. It would be very surprising if you did not have email addresses somewhere on your system - in documents, worksheets, help files, read me files, etc. |
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