2/2/2002 1:16:38 AM, HistoNet Server  wrote:

>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Date: 1 Feb 2002 01:33:59 -0600
>From: "E. van Pelt-Verkuil" 
>Subject: Re: subscribe to histonet
>
>
>Please, 
>
>Note that I will stop with getting mail from histonet,
>
>The discussions are too long and
>I fear the unexpercted virus from over the world
>
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: E. van Pelt-Verkuil 
>  To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu 
>  Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 10:25 PM
>  Subject: subscribe to histonet
>
>
>  Dear sir/madam
>  I would be very pleased to subscribe to Histonet
>  E. avn pelt-verkuiol
>  biomedical dept 
>  Hogeschool Leiden
>  The Netherlands

Hello E. van Pelt-Verkuil,

I hope to suggest something that might alleviate one of your concerns about the 
HistoNet.  While I cannot address the long discussions, I can address the virus.  It is an 
unusual circumstance that a virus is propagated through the HistoNet servers, but in this 
diversely connected world, it is inevitable.  Instead of receiving your messages 
individually, which is the default subscription method, opt for the "subscribe digest" 
option.  With this method I believe any attachments are purged, or at a minimum, the 
content reformatted to a harmless state.  The servers are better able to "cleanse" the 
content through filters if each email is processed and then repackaged into a singular 
posting.

Also, and more generally, you might want to modify your email client/reader to a more 
secure state.  It would appear that you are using Microsoft's IE Outlook Express or 
Outlook to send your mail (MSHTML.DLL is the parsing engine for HTML in Internet 
Explorer) and you are sending it using HTML formatting rather than plain-text.

To secure your mail for Outlook Express -
Tools-->Options-->Read-->Automatically download message when viewing in the Preview 
	Pane: uncheck(clear) the box.  (Select email header and hit SPACEBAR to 
	preview messages of interest, ignore suspect mail)
Tools-->Options-->Send-->News Sending Format: select Plain Text
Tools-->Message Rules-->Mail Rules-->New
	1) Condition = Where the message has an attachment
	2) Actions = Delete it and/or Highlight it with color
	3) Description = Edit to Red,Yellow (whatever)
	4) Name Rule = Flagged Attachments (whatever)
	note: this is one example filter - modify or create as needed

I could go on for hours discussing the methods to secure your system, especially with 
Microsoft's email client, but my typing finger would fall off.  Instead I've proposed an 
example of what to do to improve the most egregious problem.  If you use Outlook, the 
methods are similar and I won't post a specific solution unless you need one, in which 
case contact me off the HistoNet.  Granted, you might lose some conveniences, but only 
you can decide the balance between functionality and security.  The ultimate goal is to 
send and receive your email with plain text (not HTML), to inhibit the automatic preview of 
email in your email client, and to either deny attachments or mark emails with attachments 
so that they stand out and draw your attention.

My recommendation for an email/browser client?  Opera 6.0.  It prohibits Microsoft's 
ActiveX/scripting components from operating which is a great thing for email.

Please let me know if you have more questions.  I'd hate to see a group member leave 
due to something controllable.

Regards,
Todd Sherman