When email notifications were sent out by Websuite to the registered agents who made the cut to become e-PRO 500 agents, they received an unpleasant surprise along with the good news. Seems a common harmless virus called the "W97M.Marker" virus piggy-backed on the attachments.

The company quickly sent out a memo alert and a link to a virus management download at Symantec, calling the virus "minor."

"The e-PRO 500 received a Microsoft Word 97 e-mail attachment which contained a harmless virus called W97M.Marker," said the memo. "This virus is rated 'common' by the AntiVirus Research Center and does absolutely no damage to the recipient's computer or system.  It can be repaired with any antivirus software. The W97M.Marker virus creates a randomly named temporary text file on the recipient's hard drive which, again, presents no harm.

The virus gaff is nothing short of an embarrassment for Websuite, which quickly stepped up to the plate with corrections and apologies. But the company is having to battle unfounded rumors that it had unleashed the infamous system-wrecking "Melissa" virus on its unsuspecting e-PRO subscribers.

"At least it provided a good exercise for the e-PROs in handling viruses," joked Kirk Klinkhammer, vice president of Websuite. "but it was still embarassing for us.

The irony of viruses is that they are work disrupters that are inadvertently passed among working people through shared files. Saul Klein, president of Internet Crusade says the e-PRO incident ought to be a lesson for Realtors. "We've noticed that more and more people send documents with viruses," he says. "The Internet makes the world a business environment and more people are spreading viruses.

"If you were a Realtor and sent your client an infected document, you would lose the client," he says. "Viruses can be serious."

Klein says that virus management should be part of routine computer maintenance and that virus detection software should be run frequently. Agents should do the following to protect their systems:

1. Download or buy virus detection software.
2. Run the virus scan.
3. Update the virus software every 30 days by going to the provider's site and checking for new viruses. You can also set Windows to remind you to go and get the latest update. "Put it in your dateplanner," says Klein. "It could cost you and you'll be sorry that you didn't update."
4. Never open a file with ".exe" as the file name. These files almost certainly contain viruses.

"We regret this situation but wish to remind all (Realty Times) readers that there are millions of computer viruses in existence on the Internet.  Some cause damage, some are hoaxes and others are harmless," says Klinkhammer. "Furthermore, we assure all readers that our company's vigilance on virus elimination has increased to its highest possible level to prevent this from ever happening again.  

Editor's note: For complete information about W97M.Marker, visit http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/marker.html

Published: April 6, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. For more articles by Blanche, click here.