I will not accept an .exe file, a .doc file or a .zip file and neither should you... UNLESS it is from a reputable, known source and you have specifically requested this information.

We, for example, have Eudora software available at our Web Site and are authorized distributors. I personally have used this program without problem for quite some time, and same software I use is available there. Does this mean you should accept unsolicited files from friends - NO! They could unwittingly be infected and could pass virus along to you.

Blocking all attachments is not realistic. The maxim you should follow is simple - don't download files unless you have requested them - but let's face it, if you receive an unsolicited attachment, be wary but don't panic. It can't hurt you unless you open it.

Rather than simply rejecting any e-mail with an attachment, you would probably be better served by first getting a good virus protection program, and then examine each one on a case by case basis.

You should automatically delete anything that ends with vbs, .bat, .zip, .exe, .pif , and .scr files. Regardless of how they may look, don't be fooled with an attachment that looks like something else. The "Love-Letter-For-You" virus looked like a text file when it arrived and it could have been thought to be one. The attachment however ended in .vbs. and arrived with attachment name Love-Letter-For-You.TXT.vbs.

If you take reasonable care, you should be safe from real viruses. Don't spread false rumors about viruses that are actually hoaxes, as they will spread like wildfire, and cause a lot of people undue concern.

Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine the "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday. Instructions on how to place your ad are in the Newsletter. Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm

A story at NewsFactor.com points out that new tech spy gear is being hawked to government at unimaginable rates.

http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/17942.html

"With some exaggeration, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, whose department is responsible for airport safety, told Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this month: "We've got every salesman - 20,000 of them, I think - approaching us about how they've got some machine that will take care of everything we do, including not only detecting explosives but athlete's foot as well."

That snake oil is pretty slippery guys. Software powering advanced hardware is impressive, but not magical. Where is wolf to chase off these high tech chickens? It seems that we've got a children's story being rewritten in Washington, D.C. The remake of "Chicken Little" has 20,000 high tech Chicken's selling overpriced umbrellas to King -- and apparently he's buying.

Chicken Little is hurrying Database 'neath her wing.

She knows sky is falling fast So goes to sell King.

Now, after she has sold cure And all is told and said

The good old King smiles sweet at her And takes her in to bed.

The huge new homeland security proposal by President Bush will employ over 169,000 people and incorporate all or part of dozens of existing federal agencies.

No doubt it will have a vast database incorporating Larry Ellison's suggested National ID software, and will be powered by Siebel's Homeland Security Product. Surely there will be lots of iris scanning, finger- print reading, face recognizing, smart card reading, body scanning, security cameras and superduper tech- nology feeding all that data into centralized database where Big Brother comes to life, finally.

What heck, I may as well get into act. "Oh King! I have a Homeland Security Bridge I'd like to sell you."

This baby has a built in database of every vehicle on road and computerized steel gates that slam shut when terrorists attempt to cross over. We'll know because all car rentals and sales will require purchasers to state whether they've got evil intent. That will be entered into our bridge database along with predictive behavior modeling, just like that used by airports now. You'll need one at every border crossing point. Buy hardware at $3 Billion each and I'll DONATE software 'cause I'm a Patriot, just like Larry Ellison!"