Boston
I've never passed along a virus/worm alert before. In fact when friends who are new to the Net include me in their virus alert emails, I send them a polite reply containing a gentle lecture about email hoaxes.
However the Klez worm is the real thing! It will randomly send out messages using Microsolf Outlook. If you read TBD Boston, alot of people have been getting strange emails from friends. I received emails containing W32.Klez.gen@mm from 3 separate sources (not TER/TBD emails) this week. I have received the worm 4 times in 3 weeks. How do I know I received it? My PC has a copy of Norton Antivirus always running. As my email is downloaded, NAV quarantines the infected file.
I thought I'd pass along a few useful FREE links from Symantec.
Symantec Security Check
http://security2.norton.com/ssc/
This page contains a link to check your computer for security risks and a separate link to scan for virus. Hunt around on this page a bit. If your computer is infected by the Klez worm, there is a free removal tool.
If you are online with a broadband connection (cable or DSL) you should also have firewall software installed. There are many commercial products available. However ZoneAlarm is free for personal use and it's easier to set up.
http://www.zonealarm.com/zap26_za_grid.html
A software firewall apparently won't protect you from this worm/virus. You can use the link from Symantec that I provided above to scan your computer for viruses. However you should have antivirus software installed on your computer. Antivirus software doesn't work unless its virus definitions database is regularly updated. Think of the antivirus software as the doctor and the virus definitions as the CDC. Any good AV program will protect your computer if you keep the definitions up to date. I've used a few AV programs but I've settled on Norton Antivirus because it does the best job of nagging you to update your virus definition files. NAV opens a pop up window, all you have to do to update is click on a button.
I wouldn't forgive myself if I didn't mention virus and other email hoaxes. Who hasn't had their Inbox filled with forwarded warnings from well meaning friends about HIV infected needles found in movie theater seats and gas pump handles? I'm still waiting for the $1,000,000.00 check that Bill Gates owes me from 5 years ago when I forwarded his email to all of my friends!
One solution may be to disable the FORWARD button on everyone's email software until they were online at least 18 months 
Please take a look at Hoaxbusters before you click the Forward button.
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/
-- Modified on 5/2/2002 7:26:45 AM