[antiwar-van] VANCOUVER EVENTS CALENDAR

[Pete Lypkie]

this is an old hoax.  (reported before january, 2001)
http://www.itd.umich.edu/virusbusters/hoaxes/virtual.html
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/virtual.card.for.you.html

Virus Hoaxes can usually be identified by there conspicuous lack of any URLs
that have further info, and the presence of such lines as "SEND THIS TO
EVERYONE".

i found this hoax just by searching for the prominent words "Virus Sector
Zero" and i immediately found the pages describing it as a hoax.

one of the virus sites recommends the following for preventing viruses:

1. NEVER ACCEPT UNSOLICITED ATTACHMENTS -- not even from those you
know and trust.

2. Get top quality antivirus software, install it, and USE it.
   
3. Keep said software updated, preferably at least once a week.
      
4. Avoid crappy emailers that allow active content, like the Microsoft
Outlook variants. Otherwise, you WILL get bitten by junk like this. 



> >> > >
> >> > >  Subject:  WORST VIRUS EVER...CNN ANNOUNCED
> >> > >
> >> > >  PLEASE SEND THIS TO EVERYONE 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 and no vaccine has yet ! been 
> >> developed.
> >> > This
> >> > > virus simply destroys  Sector Zero from the hard disk, where vital
> >> > > information for its functioning are stored.
> >> > >
> >> > >  This virus acts in the following 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.
> >> > >
> >> > >  Forward this to everyone in your address book. I'm sure most 
> >> people,
> >> like
> >> > > myself, would rather receive this 25 times than not at all.

-- 

	-Pete