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Date:         Wed, 21 Mar 2001 11:43:40 -0600
Reply-To:     Chris Smith <chris.smith@AQUILA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Smith <chris.smith@AQUILA.NET>
Subject:      Re: Fw: Virus Warning! (YET ANOTHER HOAX)
Comments: To: "Greg K." <seadog@LMF.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <003601c0b225$52f07bc0$7cb1473f@computer>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

The following warning turns out to be another hoax. Here is why (again):

At 11:38 AM 3/21/01 -0500, Greg K. wrote: > >----- Original Message ----- >From: <mailto:terlisa@msn.com>terlisa >To: <mailto:tconrad570@aol.com>Tara ; <mailto:wowray@yahoo.com>Kristin ; ><mailto:alp007@aol.com>Barb&Al ; <mailto:fkavin@email.msn.com>Frank&Sandra >; <mailto:prajakumar@ncx.com>Primula ; ><mailto:claudia.campos@prudential.com>Claudia Campos ; ><mailto:slick07@epix.net>Debi & Joe Lick >Sent: Monday, March 19, 2001 11:54 AM >Subject: Fw: Virus Warning! > > > > A new virus has just been discovered that has been classified by > > > > Microsoft (<http://www.microsoft.com>www.microsoft.com) and by > McAfee (<http://www.mcafee.com>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 vital information for >its > > > > functioning is stored. This virus actsin the following manner: > > > >

If you actually go to the McAfee web site you'll find no mention of this virus anywhere.. but even if that wasn't enough to call it a hoax read-on...

> > > > 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 a > > > > news broadcast by CNN (<http://www.cnn.com>www.cnn.com). This alert > was received by an > > > > employee of Microsoft > > > > itself. > > > >

1st, no mention of what computer system this effects. A virus for an IBM Compatible will NOT infect a mac, unix, linux or any other system 2nd, The only email program in wide distribution that could cause a problem by opening an email is outlook. There was no warning to just outlook users. 3rd (and most important) no software can ruin hardware. (ok.. this does not apply to the select few who know what a "Winchester walk" is) 4th, the originator mentions CNN as a source. I don't know why, but every hoax seems to mention CNN somewhere. We have it on here at work, and they are not talking about viruses today, and it's a slow news day to boot.

> > > > So don't open any mail 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.

Now we get to the root of the hoax. By passing this message on to everyone in your address book, the message header will contain everyone's address. If the message is passed enough, there will be huge lists of email addresses floating around. Now if the sender has a few email accounts to check, every time one of these shows up, he (or she) has a new group of good addresses to sell to spam senders.

> > > > > > > > Forward this to everyone in your address book. I 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 link libraries(.dll files) from your computer. Your computer > > > > will not be able to boot up. > > > >

an old proven hoax.. amazing that they would mention an old hoax to prove a new hoax..

> > > > SEND THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST!! > > > > > > >

there it is again.. this time in caps. For me that seals it as just another bad hoax. The Sector Zero virus has been floating around the net for 10 years.

To keep from spreading rumors and getting everyone up in arms, please check the sources mentioned in the warning for yourself before sending. That way when there is a real virus going around, more folks will belive you and even thank you. Plus, I won't sit here and pick apart your good intentions :-)

Chris Smith Director of Event Technology Marriott's Lincolnshire Resort


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