Why are you people STILL using Outlook Express?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

Before I get started, I want to make something very clear:

I don't run Windows. I won't run Windows unless I have to, and I will fight tooth and nail before I would put a Windows machine, of mine, on the net. I run Linux. I don't get spyware. I don't get viruses. Period. But I do fix Windows computers. All the time.

Thank god for Microsoft's ingrained incompetance. It pays the bills.

That out of the way, the #1 cause of virus infection is Outlook/Outlook Express. Full stop. Because of the ActiveX/DCOM functionalities in them, you are left wide open for every nasty virus to come down the pike.

The other causes are leaving the Windows Shares ports open and leaving msmsgr.exe running. These you can fix with a free program called "SafeXP".

People, one of the best things you can do, to keep from getting viruses is STOP USING OUTLOOK EXPRESS!!! There are email clients out there that will give you all the functionalities and more, and they will not allow ActiveX controls to run on your machine. Mozilla Thunderbird is one great alternative and it is free.

For chrissake, friends, get with the program and get off of the Outlook Express hellbound train!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. Thanks!

I may have gotten my recent virus from MSN Messenger (which I use all the time). :-(

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. They can and will...

Shove viruses and spyware down Instant Messengers. Yahoo Messenger is the worst for that, but MSMessenger is pretty bad as well.

[Seeking Serenity]

2. We have MS Office Outlook

Same thing?

We've never gotten a virus (that I know of). We have some McAfee Online Virus Scan, or something like that (DH handles all of that).

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Yep.

Do not use it. Get Thunderbird or any better mail program.

I ain't jivin' here.

[Seeking Serenity]

4. What is this Thunderbird

and how does one get it? I asked DH and he didn't know about it.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

11. Thunderbird

Email program with great anti-spam filtering and does not let viruses run.

http://www.mozilla.org

[Nlighten1]

6. msmsgr.exe

This piece of shit runs with out my permission all the time. I am constantly killing it but it comes right back. I ran a netstat and it is sitting there listening.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

7. Me too

It starts up, even though I have a new version of messenger which I use. Is there any way of getting rid of this piece of shit?

[DS1]

13. Disable it in services window in Control Panel / Admin Tools / Services

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

12. Are you running Instant Messengers like MSMessenger?

It seems to start it back up. Doesn't have to, but it does.

A lot of popups come in down the msmsgr pipe. Some think that spyware makes its way on there too, through that pipe. And trojans.

[Nlighten1]

18. I don't use it and..

I have even uninstalled it but there it is in my task list.

[freetobegay]

8. Ok I will allow you your Microsoft rant

I have Windows XP, I use Outlook & I don't have the problems you list above. Most people that take care of their computers don't either.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

14. Well...

Most people don't take care of their computers. That makes me money.

[liberalhistorian]

9. I am afraid many people don't have

a choice when it comes to their work email system, they have to go with what the head cheeses in the offices want to use. And, unfortunately, far too often it's Outlook Express.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. Stop using IE whille you're at it

At work I use Mozilla proper (browser and e-mail in one package).

[Bertha Venation]

15. At work it is not up to me.

Save your ire. Many of us don't have a choice. We know it sucks, and we are powerless to make a change at work.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

24. Fine.

I would be surprised it if was up to you at work. Most businesses have very stringent IT acceptable use policies.

[UTUSN]

16. Thanks, and I Have NEVER Had Anything BUT O-E

But that's just my non-techie-self. Have never had a virus that I know of.

[Rick Myers]

17. I still use XP Pro, but NEVER use Outlook!!!

Bad voodoo...

[Trajan]

19. Hmmmmmmmm ....

What is msmsgr.exe and what does it do ? ....

What is 'Backweb-195746.exe' or sumfin like that do ? ....

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

22. msmsgr is...

a program to allow sysadmins to message everyone on a network when he is rebooting the network or a server. Having said that it is highly exploitable.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

27. Backweb...

Is a trojan. Bad juju. A remote host can use it to take complete control of your system.

[Lisa0825]

20. I don't have a choice at work. I had a problem with it one time....

Outlook Express on my old computer suddenly started crashing on me at least twce a day, and whatever emails I had open at the time would be lost (This was often several, as when I am searching the job database, I often copy and paste info into several new messages and send when I get through the search). It was maddening! when I asked our so-called IT guy to check it out, of course he didn't find any problem. I asked aboutdownloading another program, and he said we couldn't have anything not on our approved list. Hell, he even UNINSTALLED Adaware on it, because he said it wasn't approved.

I say "so-called IT guy" because he has never actually solved a problem for me. If I can't fix it myself, it doesn't get fixed.

[MessiahRp]

21. How to Disable MS Messenger

Since I noticed a lot of issues people have had... just removing the program doesn't work. Microsoft was sneaky and makes sure it is in running unless you fully disable it.

I provide you with this link. This will kill it from running for good.

http://support.uiwtx.edu/Tutorials/disable_messenger.html

Hope that helps.

Rp

[NightTrain]

23. I'm not!

I replaced Outlook Express with Mozilla ages ago. It was one of the best computer-related decisions I ever made! :bounce:

[kalian]

25. While I can understand your concern....

I'd like to state that for the "average user" the MS crap is "easier"
to use.
I work on XP-based boxes at a school district. While I too am a
Linux junkie, I can understand why the average user refuses to
part with their MS crack addiction...its just plain easier to use.

There are some safe policies to follow when using Outlook... While
Outlook is a major virus magnet, a prudent sys ad will be running
MIME defang on the Sendmail server ;) No attachments...no bugs...
Users don't like that...but it helps to keep our internal email
system clean.

For the end users, Grisoft's AVG software running in the background is
a godsend. Auto-preview pane disabled is another VERY important
tactic.

I agree, there are alternatives out there but the average joe/jane
user is too "comfortable" with their current environment. At work,
we're still trying to implement Linux-based workstations now that
our back end is pretty much Linux fortified. It'll be a while, but
given the educational budget cuts...I think people will realize that
the MS licensing is just money down the tubes.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

26. EEK!!!

"There are some safe policies to follow when using Outlook... While
Outlook is a major virus magnet, a prudent sys ad will be running
MIME defang on the Sendmail server ;) No attachments...no bugs...
Users don't like that...but it helps to keep our internal email
system clean."

Sendmail! Head for the hills!!! Danger Will Robinson!!! Dive Dive!!!

;-)

Uhhh...postfix?

On edit: I have a Linux box here that I am going to be lending to our poor, broke as hell school system, for an eval period.

[2Design]

28. what is another good email client to use......

CAn I import my email into it from outlook express...?

Be glad to try something else. Link please.