Klarinet Archive - Posting 000171.txt from 2004/03

From: Erik Tkal <bbtkal@------.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Virus
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 16:26:57 -0500

Andy Jablonski wrote:

>This virus isn't exclusive to MS email clients, but rather MS OS.
>

------------------------------

The mail client is what has to automatically perform the action, e.g. if
it configured to automatically run a specific scripting language, or
Java. Also, most email viruses propagate by using the email program's
address book. These types of viruses are usually a combination of script
and executable, but require the cooperation of a carelessly configured
email client to assist.

The OS-specific viruses are usually executables only, which in most
cases require manual execution of an attachment - in that case you are
correct in that the email program is irrelevant, but these spread slower
because most (I hope) people won't just run an arbitrary program that
someone sent them.

Erik