 |
|
|
|
|
|
A Hoax is what you call a Virus warning that
is fake, incorrect or misleading.
However, some hoaxs can be almost as bad as the
real thing. I'll tell you about three examples:
| Example
One |
|
If you receive an email telling you about
"a new virus that creates a certain
file, search for that file and delete it".
If you follow those instructions, you'll
probably be deleting a critical file to
the operating system. Who needs to write
malicious code when the person who reads
a message will do for you. Click here
for information on a similar subject.
|
| |
|
|
| Example
Two |
|
Another email might tell you that "AOL
and Intel are merging, and to celebrate
this they have sent out this email which
you have to forward on to ten of your friends.
Intel and AOL are monitoring the messages
and will send a cheque for '$blah blah'
to everyone who forward's it... this is
real cos my auntie Cynthia got one!"
Yea right! This is more commonly know as
'spam', however a firm believer in the message
might send the email on to as many people
as possible to try to get the money. This
is will only annoy people who can see through
it, and fill up mail boxes. Email cannot
be tracked to the degree the email states,
and a money giveaway? Of course I haven't
commented on the likelihood of AOL and Intel
merging, two completely different types
of IT companies.
|
| |
|
|
| Example
Three |
|
"HP and AOL have announced a terrifying
virus, it does this, does that, stops your
PC running and deleted all your files, format's
your C drive etc".
Firstly, HP and AOL are not the usual sources
for information on viruses. This information
would come from the likes of McAfee and
Semantic, true antivirus venders. Secondly,
the fact the email will probably tell you
to forward this on to an many people as
possible to warn them, should sound a bit
dodgy in itself (see example one).
|
True Virus advisories will have references to
websites (URLs) where information on how you got
it, what the virus does, and how it can be removed
from your computer can be found. There are several
websites which will have this information, and
are widely known and respected for their fight
against malicious code writers.
For a list of known and recognised hoaxes, follow
these links :
www.antivirus.com/pc-cillin/vinfo/hoaxes/hoax.asp
vil.mcafee.com/hoax.asp
|
|
|
