Posted By Web Manager Hi Brett, Thanks for flagging this up and glad you spotted it before any damage was done. I can confirm that the emails you mentioned are NOT current IOSH email addresses and have been forged as part of the virus they contained. I’m afraid it’s a common virus trait to incorporate a name you'll recognise into the email delivering the virus so that you'll open it. I hope we can all be as vigilant and I can only emphasise to others reading this that the Internet environment means reliable and up-to-date antivirus software is essential. Cheers, Angela

Posted By Arran Linton - Smith It is moments like this that I am glad that I have made the policy decision (at home) of switching from a Microsoft operating system to a Linux based one. OK there are a few viruses which are designed to attack Linux, but these are very few in number and are not critical. Are there any other members out there using Linux?

Posted By Arran Linton - Smith Brett, Depending on which version of Linux you choose. It is certainly becoming easier to use, although setting it up can be a little more challenging. I have both Suse 9.3 and Microsoft XP with a dual boot on my home PC so I can select either when I am booting up. Suse will also partition the hard drive which is also essential. I have Linux to be much more stable and it does not lock up or crash in the same way as Microsoft. As most hardware and software is designed around microsoft, I have had to be more resorceful however there is a lot free software (and drivers) which has been specifically written for Linux. The main reason for making the switch is that I have a teenage son at home and even with the best Virus protection, he is much more likely to attract a Microsft targeted virus than I am, so the rule at home is that Linux is to be used for all surfing and e-mails. With the dual boot, if we are caught by a virus, we can at least move critical files and save these before dealing with the virus. I do not regard myself as beeing particularly techie, but I have managed to make the switch.