[NTLUG:Discuss] FYI--How to disable VBS altogether

[Peter Smith]

In your Windows system, do a find-files on "wscript.exe"--this is the
"Windows Scripting Host" and is required when executing .VBS or .JS
files.  By renaming it to some other arbitrary name ("wscript.exe.~")
you thereby disable Windows' ability to execute .VBS or .JS files.  This
would at least have saved you from the "I LOVE YOU" virus and/or
Melissa.  This should not affect Microsoft apps that make use of VBA
(Visual Basic for Applications) as that is a built-in functionality
utilizing some .DLL files that are brought up for each Microsoft app (I
believe..)  You can even download the "Windows Scripting Host" from
Microsoft and install it on your non-"wscript.exe"-ed Windows 95 machine
thus making you vulnerable to .VBS file execution.  Getting rid of the
"Windows Scripting Host" does not affect VBA style virii however (such
as those in Word documents, etc.)

Microsoft's page on the "Windows Scripting Host" --
http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/windowshost/default.htm

Hope this enlightens everyone to the inefficiencies of "tight
integration" (without proper security in the integration!)

Peter
peters@(alienated.org|endor.hsutx.edu|micrografx.com)