Virus Alert

[neonlyte]

I received this message a little while ago from a UK university computer programmer colleague, might be worth paying attention despite the contradictory advice within the message. I scanned the message (received on a Mac) and couldn't find any problem, but as with all suspicious e-mails, they should be deleted you should not close down your computer without prior deletion of the e-mail AND don't forget the deleted e-mail might still reside in your 'Trash' file, that should also be wiped.

You should be alert during the next days:
Do not open any message with an attached filed called
"Invitation"
regardless of who sent it.
It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which "burns" the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list.
If you receive a mail called "invitation," though sent by a friend, do not open it and shut down your computer immediately.

This is the worst virus announced by CNN, it has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever.
This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus.
This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.

Off to delete the message

 

[AngeloMichael]

Thanks for the heads up.

*Rushes off to back up writing projects in progress, just in case.

 

[feeeriek]

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/invitation.asp

according to snopes it is a hoax

 

[neonlyte]

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/invitation.asp

according to snopes it is a hoax

Thanks, feeeriek. Pretty much what I thought, apart from anything else the grammar is terrible

Still if it reminds people to do back-ups, it ain't all bad, and shutting down the computer without deleting the e-mail is definitely not recommended.

 

[AngeloMichael]

Yeah I haven't done any back-ups in a while and was tempting fate. I needed a kick in the ass.

 

[Liar]

Do not open any message with an attached filed called
"Invitation"
regardless of who sent it.

Hoax or not, this is good advice. If you don't know prior that someone will send you a file, don't open it.

Also regular email spam, can sometimes mask their reply-to adress as something you are familiar with. All it takes is that they have snapped up an email header from you, of something you sent to a friend, and they have yours and your friends address. Then they can send stuff to you, and seeing your friend's address, you're more likely to open it.