# I think am going to stop using computers. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 30, 2003, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238 "2003-04-30T22:43:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/1 "2003-04-30T22:43:13Z")
[Spammers & Virus writers unite](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2988209.stm) In fact I might just go and live in the woods and learn to hunt. I am a computer user get me out of here! ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/2 "2003-04-30T22:56:47Z")
Methinks some layout editor was somewhat desperate to find two pictures to go with that story. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/3 "2003-04-30T22:59:42Z")
“Programs like this are called trojans because, like the wooden horse of the Iliad, they conceal a pernicious payload inside an innocent looking wrapper.” Oh my. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/4 "2003-04-30T23:03:00Z")
While it may be true, Spam is trying to sell something. So, in the end, it would make just as much sense to go after the person who is selling the product, not? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/5 "2003-04-30T23:17:29Z")
Hey, leave them alone! when the giant alien spaceships invade Earth to steal our resources (that they probably could have just synthesised for themselves, given their level of technology) we will be relying on those virus writers to team up with crack pilots and fly to the mothership to upload a popup advert for penis enlargement devices. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/6 "2003-04-30T23:19:31Z")
Any monkeys yet **Mangetout**? ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/7 "2003-05-01T00:43:27Z")
In one way, this is a good thing, because the penalties for maliciously writing and spreading a virus are far more severe than any “spamming” penalties. However in another very different way, it sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Netbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71e660/32.png) [@Netbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Netbrian)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/8 "2003-05-01T01:07:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Troy McClure SF \* > \*\*Methinks some layout editor was somewhat desperate to find two pictures to go with that story. \*\* I agree. My god, what is the connection between “computer viruses” and “tidal waves”? ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/9 "2003-05-01T01:16:11Z")
I like the connection with Monty Python though. I hope it’s true. (“A Monty Python sketch led to unwanted e-mail being called Spam”) ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/10 "2003-05-01T01:49:55Z")
This is just one more reason to not use Microsoft Outlook, IMHO. I’ve always used either Hotmail or Yahoo addresses. Why no let some multi-billion corporation worry about keeping my account safe? I mean, if you look at all the ways you can be attacked using Outlook, and the much, much fewer ways an online e-mail account can be exploited, why use Outlook at all? ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/11 "2003-05-01T04:22:54Z")
I love the pictures. I think some jokester was desperate to put a Monty Python picture in the article. ---
**Author:** ![DreadCthulhu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DreadCthulhu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadCthulhu)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/12 "2003-05-01T06:26:50Z")
I agree with \*\* Lizard \*\* - with all the holes in Outlook, you would have to be either very careful or a fool to use it. ---
**Author:** ![Read\_Neck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Read\_Neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Read_Neck)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/13 "2003-05-01T14:36:47Z")
You might want to take a minute and check this site. [http://grc.com/default.htm](http://grc.com/default.htm) It has some freebies that help protect against this sort of problem. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/14 "2003-05-01T15:41:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > \*\*While it may be true, Spam is trying to sell something. So, in the end, it would make just as much sense to go after the person who is selling the product, not? \*\* Exactly what I was thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/15 "2003-05-01T22:07:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ultrafilter \* > \*\*“Programs like this are called trojans because, like the wooden horse of the Iliad, they conceal a pernicious payload inside an innocent looking wrapper.” > > Oh my. \*\* Duh. They’re called trojans, because opening them is akin to being hit in the forehead with a used condom, with the “payload” trickling out and running all over your face and clothes. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-am-going-to-stop-using-computers/172238/16 "2003-05-01T23:00:40Z")
I have my sounds set to play the Trojan Man jingle whenever Norton detects a trojan. Well, actually, I don’t, but I think it sounds cool. “Trojan Man! Trojan Man!”