My thoughts on the subjects... Hardly a day passes that I don't read in a
newsletter where a self-proclaimed expert states, "Never, ever open an
executable (.exe extension) file attachment."  Think about that statement.
Most of what you're running on your computer right now are executable
files. ZoneAlarm is an executable file. To be absolutely safe when dealing
with an executable file attached to an e-mail from an unknown source with an
unrecognizable subject/file name, delete it in a manner consistent with your
e-mail program. But to delete it simple because it is an executable file is
asinine and ridiculous.

If your anti-virus program is worth it's salt, it'll catch a virus when it
hits your e-mail program inbox, or other folder if you use filters. If it
doesn't raise the flag on a suspicious e-mail (regardless if it's an unknown
source/subject, or an executable photo file from your mother) and you want
to check it, save the attachment to My Documents (or wherever) and scan it
there with your anti-virus program.

On ZoneAlarm. The free edition of ZoneAlarm, by default, quarantines
executable (.exe) files, along with numerous other file extensions. This
feature is configurable with ZoneAlarm Pro. When ZoneAlarm quarantines a
file, it is simply "alerting" you that it has identified a potentially
dangerous file based on the file extension (ZoneAlarm isn't, and doesn't
claim to be, capable of identifying and dealing with computer viruses). You
have the option of opening the file if you choose to do so. You also have
the option to scan and/or delete it. A personal experience is with a prank
program I've been using for four years or so. I have executed it countless
times on my computers and many of my friends have experienced/used it. When
ZoneAlarm came out with the "MailSafe" feature, it quarantined my prank
program. So, I simply un-quarantined it and I still use it occasionally.

My advice is to educate yourself. Most programs have some type of help or
"Read Me" file. Additionally, the programs Web site usually has more
information in the form of FAQs and/or links to more information. Explore...
When all else fails, read the instructions.

That's my 2¢.  Thanks for listening...  :-)

Sven Swanson, Sr.


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