Hey, I am receiving more and more separate "warnings" from "reputable" sources that claim there is or will be a devastating computer virus that destroy the Sector Zero of our harddisk. Here's are the thing that I should point out:
Disclaimer: I shall not copy the original statements from those emails to avoid plagiarism. (Oh no! Too much EG1471 - English Module).
- "Please forward this email to all on your contact list." at the very beginning.
What the hell?! Even haven't started to inform you what's going on and have already ask us to pass this on? What kind of warning is this?
- "McAfee has discovered this virus yesterday and has announced that this is the most destructive virus ever."
I don't know why, McAfee (sometimes Microsoft) seems to be one of the favorite companies for hoaxers to claim their stand. Besides, they prefer to use "yesterday" to keep everybody frightened. Furthermore, I don't think any anti-virus company (not only McAfee, I said any) is willing to announce such "danger" to kill their own business, UNLESS they have already had a cure for it. If that is the case, then no matter how devastating the virus is (assuming the 0.0000......000001% of possibility does really happen), there IS a cure; do update your anti-virus software then.
- "This virus destroys the Sector Zero of your harddisk, and thus your harddisk."
The first thing to mention is: The ways to "destroy" whatever of your harddisk include smack it with a hammer, go on top of any skycrapper and drop your harddisk to the surface of the Earth and throw it into flame. It may not be able to destroy your harddisk by the mean of software. In addition, even though it overwrites the Sector Zero, send your harddisk for data recovery, they can usually give you a satisfactory service.
- "CNN has announced the severeness of this virus and has given a high level warning."
CNN - Another all time favorite to streghten their claims. Try to search for it at www.cnn.com yourself and you will know the truth.
- "Hence DON'T open any email with the title '.....' " -- '.....' denotes any fancy title that they can think of.
Okay, it seems like a kind warning that helps us. But it would be more practical to:
- Get a piece of good anti-virus software
- Be smart to analyse any attachment that you receive
- Check these websites if any claim is pointed to
- McAfee here
- Symantec here
- And more... just google ^_^
- Stop sending this kind of emails. Free up more bandwidth for other purposes.
- "PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!!" at the very bottom.
- An usual reminder for a typical hoax.
- A stupid way for it to be recognized as nonsense.
That's it, be smart! ^_^
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