Destructive virus a 'Hoax'
An Omani IT expert has dismissed as hoax an email warning about a
“destructive” virus which has been doing the rounds since sometime now. Tariq
Hilal Al Barwani IT expert yesterday told the Times of Oman that the latest
virus warning being circulated on the net was false and that users should
completely ignore it.
The virus warning message which is being circulated on the net reads thus:
“Please send this to every one on your contact list!” A new virus has just
been discovered that has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive
ever. This virus was discovered yesterday afternoon by McAfee.
This virus simply destroys Sector Zero from the hard disk where vital
information for its functioning are stored. “This virus acts in the fol lowing
manner: It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your list with the
title: “A Card for You”. “As soon as the supposed virtual card is opened the
computer freezes so that the user has to reboot. When the ctrl+alt+ del keys
or the reset button are pressed the virus destroys Sector Zero thus
permanently destroying the hard disk. Yesterday in just a few hours this virus
caused panic in New York according to news broadcast by CNN. “This alert was
received by an employee of Microsoft itself. ” So don’t open any mails with
subject: “A Virtual Card for You.” “As soon as you get the mail delete it!
Even if you know the sender! “Please pass this mail to all of your friends.”
Laughing it off Tariq said: “This is a hoax or rather a false warning going
all over the internet. Such e mails have been circulating since 2001 in fact!”
“In general email warnings and alerts about viruses are very ineffective at
pre venting infection. The best way is to always install a reputed antivirus
software and keep it updated — period.