I've heard these claims before (and in times past, they all led a trail back to Skip Teller). Like any e-mail system, it is possible to attach files that contain various types of malware (viruses being only one form of malware), so the question is how much of it (if any gets through). There are dozens of new forms (if not hundreds) released "into the wild" every day of every year. For example, we used to think JPEG files were safe, until someone found a way to exploit them. Even the big guns in virus detection (McAfee, etc.) have a difficult time keeping up.

However, Winlink advertises the following precautions on their web site, and I have no reason to doubt the validity of these claims:
1. Certain file attachment types are blocked from the system for the protection of the user from virus attacks.
2. Security is insured through the vigorous updating of virus definitions and automatic virus screening for all Internet mail and files. The system has the ability to block any user by both radio (by frequency band) and Internet (by email address) to prevent abuse of the system. SPAM is controlled through the use of a secure "acceptance list" methodology.

Those are roughly the same precautions that the better ISPs offer.

-- Andy Oppel, N6AJO
Pacific Division Vice Director

At 06:57 PM 3/7/2005, you wrote:

7 MAR, 2005 - 2045 CST

For a couple of days, I have been witness to an email exchange among
several people that indicates Winlink is being attacked or carrying
computer viruses. I assume the conversation is about attached files
with virus payloads. Since Winlink is supposed to be a transparent
wireless extension of the Internet, it sounds plausible to me.

Have any of you picked up any messages on this issue, if it is an issue?

73 - Dick, W9GIG