Is Cumulative Patch OK?

I run Windows 98. I received an e-mail today supposedly
from MS telling me to download "September 2003, Cumulative
Patch." The e-mail had the MS logo and looked real. The
download was an attachment, "Installation89.exe". When I
clicked to open it, I got an MS Security Warning window
that said the publisher could not be determined because an
authenticode signature was not found. It sure seems if it
were authentically from MS it would have a signature. So
I didn't open it. Is it for real?

Jonathan
Mon Sep 22 18:09:52 CDT 2003

This is a virus. Microsoft never sends patches via email.

Check for the latest updates straight from Microsoft:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

--
--Jonathan Maltz [Microsoft MVP - Windows Server]
http://www.imbored.biz - A Windows Server 2003 visual, step-by-step
tutorial site :-)
Only reply by newsgroup. If I see an email I didn't ask for, it will be
deleted without reading.


"George Baird" <geo.baird@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:0b0701c3815a$c7fb97e0$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> I run Windows 98. I received an e-mail today supposedly
> from MS telling me to download "September 2003, Cumulative
> Patch." The e-mail had the MS logo and looked real. The
> download was an attachment, "Installation89.exe". When I
> clicked to open it, I got an MS Security Warning window
> that said the publisher could not be determined because an
> authenticode signature was not found. It sure seems if it
> were authentically from MS it would have a signature. So
> I didn't open it. Is it for real?

Jupiter
Mon Sep 22 18:11:15 CDT 2003

George;
Microsoft NEVER sends Email with attachments.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/news/patch_hoax.asp
NEVER open a unexpected attachment.
Verify with sender before opening an attachment.

Swen Removal:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.swen.a@mm.removal.tool.html

To protect the safety and security of your computer:
Install or enable a firewall IMMEDIATELY, before connecting to the
internet:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

Install ALL Critical Updates IMMEDIATELY.
Start/All Programs/Windows Update

Install an antivirus application
Update it weekly
Run it at least weekly

Also see:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/home/
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/columns/security/5min/5min-105.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spam.asp

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"George Baird" <geo.baird@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:0b0701c3815a$c7fb97e0$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> I run Windows 98. I received an e-mail today supposedly
> from MS telling me to download "September 2003, Cumulative
> Patch." The e-mail had the MS logo and looked real. The
> download was an attachment, "Installation89.exe". When I
> clicked to open it, I got an MS Security Warning window
> that said the publisher could not be determined because an
> authenticode signature was not found. It sure seems if it
> were authentically from MS it would have a signature. So
> I didn't open it. Is it for real?