A lot of virus warnings spreading through e-mail are hoaxes. Some aren't, but unfortunately these get lost in the crowd of all the untrue ones. I've seen some e-mails reproduced on USM by well-meaning posters who just want to inform others of a possible problem. That's all well and good, but only with actual viruses. Here are some tips to identify if a virus is real or not.
First, visit www.vmyths.com. This is a site dedicated to finding out the truth about supposed viruses. Get the name of the questioned virus from the e-mail, click on the letter corresponding to the first letter of the virus's name, and you can find a debunking there.
If it's not listed at VMyths, it may still be a hoax. Use your common sense. Does the virus claim to do stuff to your computer that doesn't sound possible?
Intel doesn't send out virus alerts. It makes computer chips. Lots of hoaxes and chain letters claim to come from 'someone at Intel', but this won't happen in real life.
Does it ask you to 'send it on!' ? A real virus message wouldn't ask you to do so. The sender obviously wants this to reach as many gullible people as possible.
And finally, check if the alert contains an e-mail address or a link to a Web site. Try sending something to the address. Chances are, the account is no longer active. Why? Somebody wanted to get back at the holder of the address, and they succeeded - the address got so full of messages that it had to be disabled! Look closely at the link the virus alert provides. If the site even loads at all, search or look at the links. You should find a page detailing why the rumor is not true and imploring you not to send it on and bother the website's owners any more.
I hope this helps!
-muas
You can join Unsolved Mysteries and post your own mysteries or
interesting stories for the world to read and respond to Click hereScroll all the way down to read replies.Show all stories by Author:  19273 ( Click here )
Spring is coming |
