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: terlisa
To: Tara ;
Kristin ;
Barb&Al ;
Frank&Sandra ;
Primula ;
Claudia Campos ;
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
(www.microsoft.com) and by McAfee
(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
(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