Email Security Issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter David
  • Start date Start date
D

David

Immediately after I add an address to Outlook Express, an
icon pops on my desktop with a "name" or symbol beneath
it that looks like ~ with a dash beneath it. The file
appears to contain my entire address list in a text file
of some kind.

I always delete the file immediately. In fact, I now
unplug my internet connection when I add an address and
then delete the file before reconnecting.

I am concerned that perhaps I have a worm that is sending
my address list to someone. What is going on? Should I
be concerned? How can I stop this?

If this is some normal process that results from a
setting I made, I'll feel like an idiot.

Thanks for any assistance.
 
David said:
Immediately after I add an address to Outlook Express, an
icon pops on my desktop with a "name" or symbol beneath
it that looks like ~ with a dash beneath it. The file
appears to contain my entire address list in a text file
of some kind.

I always delete the file immediately. In fact, I now
unplug my internet connection when I add an address and
then delete the file before reconnecting.

I am concerned that perhaps I have a worm that is sending
my address list to someone. What is going on? Should I
be concerned? How can I stop this?

If this is some normal process that results from a
setting I made, I'll feel like an idiot.

Thanks for any assistance.
Click to expand...

Hi David,

Check out
http://www.pchell.com/support/tildefile.shtml

Partial quotes:

"The file appearing on your desktop with the filename ~, commonly known as a
tilde, is a backup of your Windows Address Book. It is appearing as a result
of the April 2003 Cumulative Patch for Outlook Express (330994)."

"Unfortunately, there is a bug in the patch.Whenever you make a change in
your Windows Address Book file (*.wab file), Windows makes a backup of this
file. Generally this backup is called username.wa~ , however after the patch
is installed the backup gets renamed to just ~ instead and saved in the
directory where you start your Outlook Express. Most of the time, people
start Outlook Express from a shortcut on their desktop, so the backup file
gets placed there. This is how the tilde (~) file arrives on your desktop."
 
Dave said:
Thanks a million. I do feel like an idiot, but a
relieved idiot.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,

you're welcome! IMO it's better to be suspicious too often than not enough,
so no reason for any "idiot" feelings ;-)
 
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