virus alert

[Guest Joey Ciccone]

I just recieved this in the mail, thought maybe others should see it.

 

Subject: VIRUS ALERT from MICROSOFT

 

A new virus has just been discovered that has been classified by Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com) and by McAfee (http://www.mcafee.com) 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 vitalinformation 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 Virtual 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 (http://www.cnn.com). 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. Please pass on this mail to all your friends.

Also: Intel announced that a new and very destructive virus was discovered recently. If you receive an e-mail called "An Internet Flower For You", do not open it. Delete it right away! This virus removes all dynamic link libraries(.dll files) from your computer. Your computer will not be able to boot up.

[Guest maturemiami]

When is a virus not a virus? There are almost as many false rumors about viruses as there are real viruses. I check them out at http://www.symantec.com, where both "Virtual Card Virus" and "Flower for You" are listed as hoaxes. Symantec says: "Please ignore any messages received regarding the supposed "viruses" or "promotional gimmicks" listed below. They all contain bogus information, and are intended only to frighten or confuse users. The list below is a reproduction of the messages. Please refer to the list whenever you receive what appears to be a bogus message regarding a new virus, promotion, or the like", and they also warn "Please ignore any messages regarding this hoax and do not pass on messages. Passing on messages about the hoax only serves to further propagate it."

 

Symantec, by the way, is highly-regarded for info on viruses. They make the Norton products including their popular Norton AntiVirus service.

 

And Joey, thanks for trying to help all of us. I learned about fake viruses this same way, by warning some friends, one of whom alerted me to use Symantec for checking virus warnings.