SheffGen
Family and Social History
Virus messages
As with all list messages you should have mail preferenced to be delivered on download to an appropriately named folder. Different list mail to different folders etc. Although I've often found that its not always possible to recieve mail this way as at times, messages for varying reasons, will still be downloaded to your Inbox or even another folder no matter how they are preferenced to filter to other folders.
When (not "if") you recieve a message that contains a virus, more likely it will be in an attachment, but not necessarily so. There are virus files I am told that can be contained in the content of the message. Reciving a virus mail is a downside to internet use, delete them and forget about them. Providing you have an up to date virus detection and a firewall program installed you shouldnt have much trouble.
The first thing to do on seeing you have downloaded a message which looks to be suspicious is to check it out by viewing the content of the message without opening it. This can be done by viewing the headers of the message. (see the following links). Usually, providing you dont open the mail or the attachment it can be deleted safely. Of course your mail options can be altered to the preference for mail not to open, see "Stop messages from opening automatically". Also see "Stop attachments from opening". Remeber that in some instances viruses can and will automatically start to carry out their dirty deeds immediately on download whatever options are preferenced. In these cases its a matter of hoping that any damage done can be undone with as little inconvenience as possible.
An up to date Vius Detector will almost always catch it and dispose of it for you. But, they are not to be relied on 100%.
If your virus detection program fails to catch the virus then simply right click on the message in the message window and select DELETE. For extra security Delete all mail in the Delete folder too and have your virus detection program sweep the computer for any unwanted files.
Under no circumstances reply to the message or forward the message on to anyone. (Unless specifically asked to do so). Replying to them only assists in spreading the virus. (99 times out of 100 the sender of the virus mail will be ignorant to the fact that his or her address is being used to send the message anyway). It has to be taken into account that virus files in messages can change the senders address and other information in the headers of the mail. See View the headers of the message
Its always a good idea to have your virus detection program check for any virus files on a regular basis, especially after recieving a virus mail.
Another good idea is to join the Virus-Discussion or other simular virus related mailing list. Its surprising what you can learn from these lists.