VIRUS ALERT

ASK THE EXPERTS COMPUTER,TRANSPORT SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY FORUM
1

Hi everyone,

Not posted for ages but watch out there seems to be a new virus about.

I got this e-mail just now.

WORST VIRUS EVER —CNN ANNOUNCED

PLEASE SEND THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST !!

A new virus has just been discovered that has been classified
by

Microsoft as the most destructive ever. This virus was
discovered
yesterday afternoon by McAfee and no vaccine has yet been
developed. This
virus simply destroys Sector Zero from the hard disk, where
vital
information for its functioning are stored.

This virus acts in the following manner:
It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your list
with
the title:

“A Card for You”.

As soon as the supposed virtual card is opened the computer
freezes so
that the user has to reboot. When the ctrl+alt+del keys or the
reset
button are pressed, the virus destroys Sector Zero, thus
permanently
destroying the hard disk. Yesterday in just a few hours this
virus caused
panic in New York, according to news broadcast by CNN.

This alert was received by an employee of Microsoft itself.
So don’t open any mails with subject: “A Virtual Card for
You.”
As soon as
you get the mail, delete it!! Even if you know the sender !!!

Please pass this mail to all of your friends.

Forward this to everyone in your address book. I’m sure most
people, like
myself, would rather receive this notice 25 times than not at
All

2

Sorry Atki… but its a hoax…
sophos.com/virusinfo/hoaxes/virtualcard.html

symantec.com/avcenter/venc/d … r.you.html

vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_98893.htm

3

Most hoaxes are usually easy to spot.

pcworld.com/howto/article/0, … 498,00.asp state:

Meanwhile, have you been getting some unusual alerts lately? Here are some tips on how to identify virus hoaxes:

Detect the undetectable. Beware of warnings that claim a virus is undetectable. In general, if you keep your antivirus software up-to-date, your system will nab the latest viruses.

Study the subject. If the e-mail message’s subject line includes words such as “Urgent,” “Warning,” or even “Virus Alert,” it’s often a good indication that you’re dealing with a hoax. Read the e-mail message with great skepticism, not great urgency.

Beware of tech talk. Look out for pseudo-technical discussions on the dangers of the virus. Some hoax messages include pure gobbledygook.

Check the sources. To create an aura of credibility, a hoax often quotes a well-known company or agency, such as Microsoft, the Federal Communications Commission, or an antivirus company. Check the Web sites of the sources quoted (or see your antivirus vendor’s site). Remember also that Microsoft never posts virus alerts via e-mail.

Scrutinize the instructions. Beware of messages that insist you delete a file manually. True, at times you should do so, but in the context of the other tip-offs, this instruction should raise a red flag.

Don’t spread the word. False alerts always urge you to tell everyone you know. Genuine alerts never do. Ignore the instructions, delete the message, and don’t alarm everyone on your mailing list.

However, there are a lot of viruses out now and even a quick glance at Sophos (sophos.co.uk/) show the latest out :frowning:

vmyths.com/resource.cfm?id=19&page=1

google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie … arch&meta=

Happy New Year :slight_smile: