Is there a consensus about having virus checking of incoming mail turned ON
or OFF?
Virus checking email is for lamers
Just use a sane email app that
won't allow you to Run attackments or auto-run embedded scripts in
HTML. Pegasus and Mozilla email are just two examples of sane email
apps. Forte Agent, which is strictly text and no HTML, is another sane
app.
Delete all unsolicited attackments and be suspicious of attachments
from your lame "friends" as well
Save them to a download directory.
Let them sit there a few days and then scan them with several good av
scanners that you've just updated. Alternatively, there are file
upload av scanning sites on the internet which can be used if you
don't have some good scanners on your PC which you keep updated.
Even after they're scanned and seem ok, it's a good idea to Open them
in a appropriate viewer. For example, if the file is supposed to be a
picture image file, Open it in Irfan View or some other such app. If
it's alleged to be a PDF then Open it in ACROBAT. Etc. Beware of
screen savers (.SCR files). Don't use them or Run them at all. They
should be banned since they have no purpose nowdays except to sucker
lamers into running malicious code.
If my Antivirus is up to date is checking my e-mail redundant as the program
will (should) catch any viruses anyway?
Never take the word of a antivirus scanner. Never abdicate your
responsiblity for your security. Take security into your own hands.
Learn some "safe hex". Don't be just another lamer. There's too many
of them already making the AV vendors fat while they get infested with
malware and spyware in spite of the use of endless products allegedly
designed to "protect" them.
Art
http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg