Hoax virus

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Jan 2005, 18:31

I recevied an email today from a well-meaning friend, warning me of a virus:

VERY IMPORTANT WARNING
Please Be Extremely Careful especially if using internet mail such as Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL and so on. This information arrived this morning from Microsoft and Norton. Please send it to everybody you know who accesses the Internet. You may receive an apparently harmless email with a Power Point presentation "Life is beautiful. pps".

If you receive it DO NOT OPEN THE FILE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, and delete it immediately. If you open this file, 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 gain access to your name, e-mail and password.

This is a new virus which started to circulate on Saturday afternoon. WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO STOP THIS VIRUS. AOL has already confirmed the severity, and the antivirus Software's are not capable of destroying it. The virus has been created by a hacker who calls himself "life owner".

PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF THIS EMAIL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS and PASS IT ON IMMEDIATELY PLEASE.

This a well known 'hoax virus' and if you receive this message you should just delete it. Do not pass it on as you will simply be perpetuating the hoax.

Find out more about hoax viruses

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 13 Jan 2005, 19:36

is it ok to pass on the warning about the warning to everyone you know, or does that merely replicate the virus?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 13 Jan 2005, 19:54

Is this yet another scam perpetrated by the Neds?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 13 Jan 2005, 21:47

Dadaist wrote:is it ok to pass on the warning about the warning to everyone you know, or does that merely replicate the virus?

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 14 Jan 2005, 10:30

I find getting all the warnings about a virus just as annoying as getting the virus.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 14 Jan 2005, 19:01

Indeed. In case anyone has missed the point of this thread, there is no virus. It's just a chain-letter.

If you have up to date anti-virus software you should never have to worry. However, lots of people seem to think they are protected because they have a copy of Norton or something, not realising that the free updates have long since expired. New viruses are constantly being created so it's important to ensure that you update regularly. I use AVG, a free anti-virus program available at www.grisoft.com and have it set to automatically check for updates every day.

Chances are you already know all this, or you haven't a clue what I'm talking about, but I suspect that a lot of people are just not sure and that's why these hoax viruses continue to spread, as well as the real ones.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 14 Jan 2005, 19:24

Bob Jefferson wrote:Chances are you already know all this, or you haven't a clue what I'm talking about, but I suspect that a lot of people are just not sure and that's why these hoax viruses continue to spread, as well as the real ones.

How will I know if you have a hoax virus? Am I one of your suspects?

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 14 Jan 2005, 19:25

Bob Jefferson wrote: I use AVG, a free anti-virus program available at www.grisoft.com and have it set to automatically check for updates every day.

I use AVG as well Bob - mainly 'cos it's free

- but was talking today about how you actually know if your anti-virus program is working. I mean, it's never going to actually come back and say "sorry, missed one there - will try and get it next time"

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 14 Jan 2005, 19:57

It's really simple folks...buy a Mac. It's always Pc's (and Microsoft) that people are out to get.

So don't bother giving me any more warnings Bob

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 16 Jan 2005, 21:14

Bob Jefferson wrote:If you have up to date anti-virus software you should never have to worry.

Hmm...what a perfect world. Unfortunately we always keep our anti-virus stuff up to date and yet we've had some pretty nasty worms in our time (now then, now then, settle down). Nice theory but doesn't quite work. Still, it caught two trojans yesterday.