O/T VIRUS ATTACK WARNING

[Christies Child]

It would appear that a nasty virus is doing the rounds which 'burns' all C Drive content.

The Virus is sent via an e-mail entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK' which under no circumstances should you open.......so you've been warned.

It could be a hoax but better to be warned than sorry!

[Keith]

It could be a hoax but better to be warned than sorry!

Neil!!! As I've mentioned before...

http://www.snopes.com/

then (on this occasion) type in "postcard" and "Hallmark" in to the search engine...
you would then find yourself here:

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

This 'nasty virus' that is doing the rounds is two and a half years old!!! And even then, it was part hoax! So in the time you spent warning us of a non-existent threat, you could have checked and then been sure! Now go and put Snopes in to your favourites! By the way, that person who sued after crashing their campervan when they put in cruise control, then went to make a coffee? Didn't happen. And if you forward that e-mail ten times so that Sony will send you a new laptop? That won't happen either...

[Christies Child]

As we've got new SVs on a fairly regular basis, it doesn't do any harm to warn 'em.....

Better to be reminded than live to regret it.....even if it's a hoax!

Maybe I shouldn't have bothered!

[mrpotatohead]

why not add that to all your other footnotes

[campdave]

It would appear that a nasty virus is doing the rounds which 'burns' all C Drive content.

[alwaysright]

Well C C i will thank you for that warning, it doesnt do any harm to post warnings like that !!!!

[Keith]

If people get warned on a daily basis about something that turns out to be a hoax, when something real comes along, they then assume its a hoax. I'm not suggesting that CC is warning on a 'daily basis' but the point is that his/your credibility for 'warnings' deteriorates every time you warn about a hoax or a something that is a couple of years old.

The key is to ensure you update your virus protection regularly and are savvy enough not to open attachments without checking them first and cynical enough to not follow links or give out your password to e-mails offering a lottery/inheritance etc.

[Christies Child]

If people get warned on a daily basis about something that turns out to be a hoax, when something real comes along, they then assume its a hoax. I'm not suggesting that CC is warning on a 'daily basis' but the point is that his/your credibility for 'warnings' deteriorates every time you warn about a hoax or a something that is a couple of years old.

The key is to ensure you update your virus protection regularly and are savvy enough not to open attachments without checking them first and cynical enough to not follow links or give out your password to e-mails offering a lottery/inheritance etc.

Keith of course is right in his recommendations about Virus protection and not opening attachments without checking.

HOWEVER, I still think it better to warn even if it is only a very small number of fellow SVs of 'potential' threats. Those new to computing and to SVs will possibly not be as 'aware' of potential threats as the majority of users, especially something that now transpires to be 2 years old. Therefore, at the risk (again) of being a pain in the arse, I feel my original post was well intentioned and would do so again.....without question!

[Keith]

HOWEVER, I still think it better to warn even if it is only a very small number of fellow SVs of 'potential' threats. Those new to computing and to SVs will possibly not be as 'aware' of potential threats as the majority of users, especially something that now transpires to be 2 years old. Therefore, at the risk (again) of being a pain in the arse, I feel my original post was well intentioned and would do so again.....without question!

FFS Neil!!! NO, you aren't best scaring "those new to computing" about things that can't happen! It was a hoax! Even two years ago, IT WAS A HOAX. It couldn't burn your 'c' drive, EVER!

If you warn people about things that can't happen what do you achieve? Warn them about things that CAN happen and you improve their knowledge. If people continue to circulate hoaxes they are just spreading fear, misinformation and are wasting time. If you get sent 'warnings', check their validity. If they are hoaxes, tell the person who sent it to you and STOP SPREADING IT!

must go and lay down in a darkened room,
must go and lay down in a darkened room,
must go and lay down in a darkened room,

[campdave]

HOWEVER, I still think it better to warn even if it is only a very small number of fellow SVs of 'potential' threats. Those new to computing and to SVs will possibly not be as 'aware' of potential threats as the majority of users, especially something that now transpires to be 2 years old. Therefore, at the risk (again) of being a pain in the arse, I feel my original post was well intentioned and would do so again.....without question!

Congratulations on wasting everyones time, which is exactly what the originators of this spam want.

With respect, you're the last person I'd be looking for with the latest virus threats and risks to my online security.

[Christies Child]

We are obviously looking at this from two opposing view points.

Better to close this topic that may have been useful to some but not to the majority.

Are you planning a visit before Christmas?

[Christies Child]

HOWEVER, I still think it better to warn even if it is only a very small number of fellow SVs of 'potential' threats. Those new to computing and to SVs will possibly not be as 'aware' of potential threats as the majority of users, especially something that now transpires to be 2 years old. Therefore, at the risk (again) of being a pain in the arse, I feel my original post was well intentioned and would do so again.....without question!

Congratulations on wasting everyones time, which is exactly what the originators of this spam want.

With respect, you're the last person I'd be looking for with the latest virus threats and risks to my online security.

[captain sparkle]

I've been left some money from the estate of Luciano Pavarotti!!
I kid you not,
it must be true, I got an email telling me so!!!!!!!!
s'funny 'cos i didn't know he knew me! (that well)

[Keith]

Whereas this one is NEW and for real!

Dear customer

It's come to our notice that some of our customers are being targeted by opportunist callers claiming to be calling to help fix slow broadband or computer issues. The caller will ask you to visit www.logmein.com or a similar site and will then take control of your PC remotely, claiming to install anti-virus or anti-spyware software. In reality, they will be installing a virus to try to collect personal information, which may include bank and credit card details, from your computer.

If this should happen to you, please contact us immediately at support@wimanx.com. If you receive an unexpected call purporting to be from your ISP and are suspicious of it's nature, do not pass on any personal details and hang up. If Wi-Manx need to contact you with regard to your broadband, we will be able to identify ourselves by having your account number and support ticket ID to hand. If the caller is unable to provide you with this information, hang up and let us know immediately. Wi-Manx will never ask you to visit www.logmein.com or any other site to remotely control your PC.

For further details, please see this BBC article : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe ... 392303.stm

Best Regards,


Wi-Manx Support

Oddly, only happened in the Isle of Man (or at least, reported on the Isle at least) but worth being aware of.

[RedRedWine1]

CC, if you fall for stuff like this then you deserve to be in a padded cell and not behind a computer screen. No amount of highlighting will enable you to stop morons falling for such blatant scams.

No scam is new, most internet scams have been recycled from the real World. However, they are far more proficient and cost effective for the scammer.