The new virus, Klez, (not to be mixed up with a type of folk dancing)  has many of us at EDS in awe. It attacks your Outlook address book (as usual) but then puts a random address in the 'From' field so that no one knows who sent it. No one will know who is spreading it either. People are receiving emails from people who have been dead for over a year purely because that person's old email address is still in someone elses address book.

But that's not all. Because it is a 'from' field, if the Klez infected email is sent to an opt-in mailing list then that address becomes part of the newsletter list. During March thousands of people around the world were suddenly signed up for newsletters that they had never heard of.

How do you recognise it?
When the Klez virus comes to you it is usually an email from someone you know. But the text in the email is a random grab from the last document someone used on their system. So if you start seeing half of a love letter or a piece of a resume or parts of someones commission takings you can guess that it is the Klez virus. Don't click on the attachment as that will launch the virus to work on your address book and internet settings, seeding the internet with another blast of confusion.

Because the address in the from field is NOT who it is from, there's no point in replying to it, as the email address owner probably doesn't even have it on their system yet. (But are likely to very soon)

As a result, this virus is likely to be around for a very long time. And there'll be all sorts of virulent copies made until Microsoft can redesign Outlook so that these viruses don't work anymore. Your only defence at the moment is to install a good virus checker. Click here for Norton or McAfee. Or search for other Computer software on our links page.

2. EDS P/L Changes
As you may already be aware, Electronic Desktop Solutions Pty Ltd is now by a new team. This change-over happened in March and, as always, there is some adjusting to do. You'll be pleased to know that due to this change-over, there is now a larger infrastructure awaiting your use. We have programmers, internet marketers, networkers, basic web designers, trainers, translators and more. See our main page for more information. If you are needing a home page, then we have designed a site with you in mind here.

Ben, who you all know, as he has probably visited you and maintained your computers in the past, has been kept on in a contracted position for a short time. So you may still see him if your systems need servicing before July. You can see some of our staff here.

3. Computer Fair
For all those businesses out there that want to know what the latest is in the world of computers, visit the computer fair in Darling Harbour on 28th-30th May 2002. If you can't make it or you're not in the business of selling computers, look out for the June issue of our newsletter as there'll be a short report. You can find out more about the convention here.

4. IDit Plates for your car.
Every month I'll be including a product recommendation here. With literally millions of computer and business related products out there I can't review them all and I certainly won't recommend everything I review but rest assured I'll be mentioning one or two products a month that I think make the grade.

This time it is an interesting product called IDIT plates. Now they're a New Zealand group so don't hold that against them but it is one of those niche market, innovative concepts that just jumped out at me so I thought I'd mention it to you. Basically the company makes metal plates for your car that feature your domain name. So, next to your 'Datsun' or 'Chrysler' plate on your car you could also have one saying www.yourdomain.com.

But, of course, they don't just do domain names or email addresses, you can have anything you wish. Like 'Worlds Greatest Dad', 'Best Golfer' etc. The metal is available in gold and silver and their site has a few pictures if you wish to see what they look like. Personally I think they're a great birthday or Fathers Day gift idea. (And if you have a business, get several of them to advertise your website on your company cars!)

You can find out more at this website here

Thanks for reading.

The next newsletter will be ready in early May

Best regards

The Team at Electronic Desktop Solutions Pty Ltd