Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!dsinc!netnews.upenn.edu!vax1.cc.lehigh.edu!cert.sei.cmu.edu!krvw From: mitchell@thesis1.hsch.utexas.edu (Philip Mitchel) Newsgroups: comp.virus Subject: Re: How safe are FTP sites from viruses? Message-ID: <0011.9011141856.AA23262@ubu.cert.sei.cmu.edu> Date: 12 Nov 90 19:29:42 GMT Sender: Virus Discussion List Lines: 21 Approved: krvw@sei.cmu.edu The question was asked, "How safe are anonymous FTP sites from viruses"? I'd like to know the answer as well. A user at our site just retrieved some text files from the anonymous ftp server at apple.com and found that her floppies began to be corrupted. McAfee's virus scan identified the Stoned virus in the partition table. The only known route of "infection" was the ftp connection. By the way, what is the usual process for removing a virus such as this once found? (I know, rank beginner question...we all start somewhere). Thanks. [Ed. The only way (that I know of) to get infected by a virus via an anonymous FTP site would be to download an infected executable file and then execute it; I don't believe that this could have happened by merely downloading a text file. As such, a properly administered anonymous FTP site is as safe as a properly administered bboard system. It is always a good idea (in my opinion) to use a virus scanning product on any new software, shrinkwrap or public/shareware.] - -- Phil Mitchell mitchell@thesis1.hsch.utexas.edu "No one is to be blamed for any damned fool thing I say, either."