[ ARC forum 2 ]

Unjustified.

Written by Paul B. at 01 Feb 2003 22:43:05:

As an answer to: Re: Context, context ... written by Jim at 01 Feb 2003 19:51:20:

> But the point was that the virus could indeed come from AJ either directly or indirectly.

You obviously misunderstand Klez. Klez and its ilk fake the "source" of the e-mails it sends as well as determine its recipients, by using addresses randomly selected from the infected machine's address book. This makes people more likely to read the e-mail, as they think it is actually from someone of importance to them.

So just because you receive a virus message that says it is from a certain person, does not mean that message has anything to do with them, they may not even be able to access the internet at that time. It only means their address existed in the address book of some PC running Micro$oft software.

In addition, these viruses cannot be spread through Web-based e-mail clients such as Hotmale and Yahoo, unless with particular care to do so. While Adam James might have such skill, I am not at all sure whether "AJ" has!

> Aussie Girl claimed to have received one from him, and she has never given any reason for us to disbelieve her.

Not so. She has in fact stated that on further examination, she realises the virus did not come from him.

> Whether AJ knowingly did it or not, she received the virus, and she said it came from him.

And she retracted that statement. It is 29/F who is apparently not aware of the retraction, and acting the terrier to AJ.

> He has his myriad of email addresses splattered all over the world wide web, so who knows who might be sending him whatever?

Indeed, but we are talking only of his anonymous Yahoo address.

> If Microsoft and Bank of America can be shut down for several hours because of the work of internet terrorists, no one here is safe from any such assualt.

I am not aware of the nature of that particular attack, if it is a DDOS, then the ubiquity of Micro$oft drones is responsible, and difficult to avoid, but "worms" on the other hand are easily avoided by not using the M$ tools.

> The only sure way of not being infected, directly or indirectly, from AJ is to stay clear of him.

You still seem to misunderstand the situation. There is no evidence that he was responsible for anything, and therefore no more reason to "avoid" him than anyone else with whom you exchange e-mail. Less, in fact.

> Who in his right mind would want to take the chance, knowing what we do from what he writes here?

I see no indication whatsoever that he is aggressively antisocial. He has injured himself to be sure, and his efforts at self-justification may be a risk to the unintelligent, but again, this is far less risk to anyone, than the average Joe driving a car, who might be quite a good friend of yours. You know you wouldn't use the fellow for advice, but knowing that, needn't stop you being friends.


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