shell variable security

[Jacques B.]

I guess this is easier than using a temp variable (I know, I'm using a
condition - but I had missed that part of your question on my first
posting).

if [ "$name" !> "${name%%+(;|:)*}"
then
   echo "Invalid character!"
fi

In the meantime I echo Jonathan's question.  I also tested this and
was unable to make the exploit work. It simply echoed what I typed,
semi-colon and all.

Jacques b.