fwd: VIRUS WARNING]

[Toby Fisher]

Oh please guys!

This kind of virus is easily shown to be a hoax.

First, statements like "most destructive ever" etc just wouldn't be used,
think about it.  Please please please, before passing them on, have a look
on symantec or elsewhere to determine if this is a hoax, so as not to
alarm those ppl still using Winblows here.
Also, no reputable company is going to urge you to send it to everyone on
your addressbook, now are they?  That would simply cause mass panic, not
to mention kill some smaller mail servers.
These worms, for that in essence what they are, are designed to hog system
resources, cause panic among users, lower heeding of real warnings (so a
real virus stands a better chance) and make an attempt to overload update
servers of antivirus manufacturers.
Oh yes, and in order for it to do what it says, it would need to write to
the bios rom, which itself doesn't have write access to hard drives.

I realise that this was sent with the best of intentions, but please,
think about it before sending.  These things have a structure which is
easy to spot.

Cheers.

 On Fri, 22 Mar 2002, Amanda Lee
wrote:

> Sounds like a hoax to me because CNN isn't the God of all Virus Warnings
> broadcasts.
>
> It certainly would have been reported on other networks bessides CNN if it
> were that serious.
>
> Amanda Lee
>
>
>
> On Fri, 22 Mar 2002, Gregory Nowak wrote:
>
> > Hi folks, check this out.
> > Sounds like macroslop strikes out again, or is this a hoax?
> > Greg
> >
> >
> > ----- Forwarded message from kylee maloney <kylee at actrix.co.nz> -----
> >
> > To: "BrailleNote discussion list" <braillenote at lyris.pulsedata.co.nz>
> > From: kylee maloney <kylee at actrix.co.nz>
> > Subject: [braillenote] VIRUS WARNING
> > Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 21:25:10 +1200 (NZST)
> >
> > Hi all.  Below is the text of a message which was forwarded by a friend today, which I feel duty bound to send.  Apparently, it's deadly serious! Although I know it won't affect my Braillenote-using friends, it could seriously ruin the year of those with a PC!
> >
> > Warm Wishes
> > Kylee Maloney
> >
> >  IMPORTANT!
> >
> > 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 25 times than not at all.
> >
> > Also:
> >
> > Intel announced that a new and very destructive virus was
> >   discovered recently.  If you receive an email called "An Internet Flower For You",
> >   Do not open it!! Delete it right away! This virus removes all dynamic ink
> >   libraries (disDLL files) from your computer.  Your computer will not be able
> >   to boot up!!
> >
> > These ones are serious,
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------
> > You are currently subscribed to braillenote as: gnowak1 at uic.edu
> > To unsubscribe, Send a blank message to: leave-braillenote-1984636S at lyris.pulsedata.co.nz
> >
> > ----- End forwarded message -----
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
>
>
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>

-- 
Toby Fisher	Email: toby at g0ucu.freeserve.co.uk
Tel.: +44(0)1480 417272	Mobile: +44(0)7974 363239
ICQ: #61744808