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How to spot a hoax virus warning
It's usually easy to spot hoax virus warning. The shock, horror language is usually the give away. They contain phrases such as:
- Send this to everyone in your address list (DON'T - that makes you a spammer)
- I'd rather receive this warning 25 times than receive the virus
- This information arrived this morning (no date given)
- This will erase your entire C drive
Is there a virus?
No. But if you pass the email on you become a spammer. That's what these hoax warnings are, in effect. Spam emails whose only purpose is clog up the internet with unwanted messages and, I suppose, give their writer some kind of misguided thrill.
An example
Now look at the following, which I received this morning - honestly (I had to say that, didn't I?)
Anyone-using Internet mail such as Comcast, Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL and so on.
This information arrived this morning, Direct from both Microsoft and Norton. Please send it to everybody you know who has access to the Internet.
You may receive an apparently harmless e-mail titled 'MAIL SERVER REPORT'.
If you open it, a message will appear on your screen saying: 'It is too late now, your life is no longer beautiful.'
Subsequently you will LOSE EVERYTHING IN YOUR PC, and the person who sent it to you will gain access to your name, e-mail and password.
This is a new virus which started to circulate on Saturday afternoon. AOL has already confirmed the severity, and the anti virus softwares are not capable of destroying it.
This virus has been created by a hacker who calls himself 'life owner'.
PLEASE SEND A COPY OF THIS E-MAIL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS, And ask them to PASS IT ON IMMEDIATELY!
THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY SNOPES.
Yes - it contains all the usual threats.
If you are at all in doubt this is what you should do.
1) NEVER PASS ON SUCH A WARNING
2) Update your antivirus software and scan your computer
3) Update your antispyware software and scan your computer
4) Check out www.keepsafeonthenet.co.uk for lots of helpful advise on keeping your computer safe on the internet
5) Put the kettle on and make a cup of tea - for you, not the computer. |
