I am posing the question to the KBB because indirectly it is related
to some extent I am on the "horns of a dilemma" and don't know which is the preferable choice to make.

regrettably I received by email a message which may be a virus directly from another poster on this bulletin board. I met Steve Frederick at the Newfound Rendezvous last year and we exchanged several emails shortly afterwards. So I am presumably still in his personal address book.

This morning I received the message from him, copied below. I sent a response to Steve asking if it is legit but have not received a response. Conceivably he is away from his machine or his machine is already fried and he is not logging on.

I am equipped with the latest Norton anti-virus and it has been catching alot of viruses recently. So I think that I am safe.

This virus may be more insidious because instead of sending you an executable file that does the damage. You do the damage yourself by erasing necessary programs.

I did the scan as suggested, found the file, but didn't delete it. What made me suspicious is that the search indicated that it was last changed in 5/8/2001. Which would be well before this virsus was received and it is also the date on the system for many other executable system files. Suggesting that it is an original file that came with the computer.

I am not enough of a computer whiz to recognize what this file should be. Does anyone else know.

Any recommendations as to a course of action?

Is there anyone else who has corresponded with Steve and is in his personal address book and received a similar message.

This virus problem is no fun these days.

Thanks for your help and advice

Frank E.

----------------------------------------------
(email from Steve Frederick)

Hi all
Unfortunately, a virus has been passed on to me. My address book was
infected. This was not something that could have been prevented by an
Anti-virus program.

Since you are in my address book, there is a good chance you will find it on
your computer. The virus (called jdbgmgr.exe)is not detected by Norton,
McAfee or most other anti virus systems. the virus sits for 14 days before
damaging the system. It is sent automatically by messenger and by the
address book, whether or not you sent e-mail to your contacts.

Here's how to check for the virus and how to get rid of it:
YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1.Go to the start bar. Click on Find or Search
2. In the file folder option,type the name jdbgmgr.exe
3. Be sure to search your C drive and all other subfolders and any other
drives you may have.
4.Click"find now"
5. The virus has a teddy bear icon with the name jdbgmgr.exe DO NOT OPEN IT
6. Go to EDIT(on the menu bar) and choose "select all"to highlight the file
without opening it
7.Now go to FILE( on the menu bar) and select delete. It will then go to the
recycle bin
8. IF YOU FIND THE VIRUS YOU MUST CONTACT ALL THE PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS
BOOK SO THEY CAN ERADICATE IT IN THEIR OWN ADDRESS BOOK

To do this:
Open a new email message
click the icon of the address book next to the "TO"
Highlight every name and add to the BCC(Blind Copy)
Copy the message and paste to email.
Sorry for the inconvenience,
Steve