ShawneeLink

We developed our Acceptable Use Policy, in part, based upon industry accepted standards with regard to mail transmissions.

ShawneeLink's position is that we prefer to not suspend customer accounts for virus transmission. De-activating and re-activating accounts during a high volume of virus tranmission are not trivial tasks.

It is our experience that other ISPs expect that we take action with user accounts when we have been notified of a violation, i.e., the transmission of spam or a virus. Failure to take action may mean that part or all of our network will be blocked (also known as "black-listing") preventing mail access to that ISP. The downside is that the vast majority of our customers from part or all of our service area may be impacted.

Viruses typically don't limit the corruption of programs and data to your PC. They commonly send out a copy of themselves to people in your address book and/or your inbox and/or your outbox. It is when this occurs and when we receive notification or a copy of the virus that we take action.

We have been asked, "Why can't [you] block viruses at the mail server?" The answer is that it can be done and, to some degree, is being done.

Our mail servers perform a non-intrusive check for many of the popular viruses. The software accomplishes this by reviewing the header for specific, consistent information. E-mails that meet this check are rejected.

There are other methods using virus-scan software on the server that would enable us to stop the transmission of most or all viruses. This involves an intrusive check -- the message body is scanned (including attachments) for viruses. Previous feedback indicated that this was not a preferred solution relating it to e-mail privacy -- even though it is an automated check.

Please note that the largest problem our customers experience relates to new viruses. ShawneeLink would be in the same position as our customers are in -- virus scan software may not be available immediately upon detection of a new virus for our servers or your PC.

WHEN A NEW VIRUS OCCURS

Due to the unusually high volume of customers that are infected with the badtrans virus, we are taking a temporary, alternative approach when working through this issue. This policy is effective with the discovery of any medium to low virus which impacts a volume of customers.

For the 7-day period that begins with the initial tranmission of a new virus, we will send out an email to all of our customers that provides notification of the new virus. This does NOT mean that you have the virus.

We will NOT suspend a customer account for that new virus until the 7-day period has passed from the time that we sent the broadcast email unless you have been directly notified that you are infected and continue to transmit virus(es) after confirmation of the notice.

All accounts currently under suspension for the badtrans virus will be re-activated.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

We feel that the most pro-active approach that we can take is with the initial e-mail notification.

Often, we may have information relating to patches or configuration changes that will help to prevent future problems. For the latest virus, badtrans, this may involve downloading an update to your e-mail client.

For those using Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft has a patch available.

E-mail clients that have the configuration option to "allow executables within HTML" should ensure that this is not checked.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Install anti-virus software on to any PC that is involved with downloading mail or files.

Set it to scan for all file and email downloads.

Regularly update the engine and DAT files for your anti-virus software. We update our internal PCs every time that they are powered up or once a day, whichever occurs more frequently.

Ensure that your e-mail client cannot auto-execute attachments.

Don't click on an attachment unless: 1) it is a file that you are expecting, and 2) you are confident that it does not contain a virus.

If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Customer Service at 1.800.461.3956.