have had some small joke .exe files on my computer for sometime, neither norton, fix-it-utilities or mcafee seem to think they are viruses but when the system was scanned by trend-micro virus buster 2002 it showed them as viruses JOKE GESCHENK JOKE IDIOMA JOKE 32 JOKE WOBBLING are these really viruses, should i immediately delete them?, or is trend just pointing out that they are pointless programs? eric e

probably virus/worms, joke.exe was a mass mailer worm that went around about a year ago ,could be variations that aren't detected by nav etc.

Eric- These programs are just what Trend says they are: jokes. As a rule, jokes are not destructive, and generally not classified as viruses. Trend has built that added function into their software to detect jokes, while Norton and McAfee have chosen not to.

Never accept any EXE VBS PIF file by email, never. It doesnt matter to me if your computer is infected... however your "jokes" will become a problem when your computer will forward the worm worlwide!! Some people on internet need their computer to work... not only to see friend's jokes!!

You can check it out here Click the dropdown menu for more options. But as Danny says, calling a real virus "Joke.exe" or something to put you offguard is a common trick. In addition, you should take additional precautions by disabling some features of Outlook Express like these: 1) Launch OE and from the "Tools" menu, choose "Options". 2) Click the "Read" tab and uncheck the option called "Automatically download messages when viewing in the Preview Pane". 3) Click the "Receipts" tab and checkmark the option called "Notify me for each read receipt requested". 4) Click the "Security" tab and checkmark the option "Restricted sites zone". #1 is particularly important in the above list because modern day email messages are sent in HTML format and HTML can be written to contain a virus. If you allow "Automatic download when viewing in the Preview Pane", you're effectively inviting dubiuous individuals to send you viruses. Simply viewing the message installs the virus. You don't have to click anything. #2 is less important, but if somebody requests a "Read" receipt which is confirmation that you read the mail and you say "Yes" automatically, you'll be sending them your IP address in the headers. #3 prompts you to enable ActiveX in an email message if one arrives in that format. ActiveX is a component that Windows needs to display certain files. Those just might contain a virus.