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"A Card for
You"- "Virtual Card For You"-or "Postcard" Virus Warning-Fiction!
&
Truth!
Summary of the eRumor The eRumor warns of a
virus just discovered by Mcafee or Norton and classed by Microsoft as the most
destructive ever.
It says the virus destroys "Sector Zero" from the hard
disk, sends itself to all the names in your email address book,
wipes out the hard disk, and has caused a panic in New York,
according to CNN.
It says that the subject will be "A Card for You",
"Virtual Card for You", or "Postcard."
Some versions also say the subject will be "Postcard from Hallmark."
The Truth
This particular email is a
hoax---although there has been a real "Postcard" virus.
The hoax has circulated continuously on the Internet since at least
2001 and recent versions may say that they are from the Hallmark
greeting card company.
There is no known virus called "A card for you" or "A
virtual card for you."
In July, 2007, someone added "Postcard" to the story and
said that it had been verified as a true virus.
Note:
It is true that there was a virus that appeared in the summer of
2007 with a subject line of: "You've received a postcard
from a family member." There were several other
variations of the subject line that talked about a "card"
or a "greeting card." But that virus had nothing to
do with this false warning about "A card for you" or
"A virtual card for you" and the warning that CNN had
termed it the worst virus ever.
Microsoft, Norton, or McAfee have had nothing to say about it except
that it is a hoax.
The CNN part of the eRumor was added by someone along the way.
In June, 2008, someone added that the message in the virus was
"POSTCARD FROM
HALLMARK," which is also untrue.
It is always important
to have current virus protection software and never open attachments in
emails that might be questionable.
Updated 3/12/10
A real example of the eRumor as it has
appeared on the Internet:
Version #1
To All,
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 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 forward this to everyone in your address book. I'm sure most
people, like myself, would rather receive this notice 25 times than not
at all.
CNN|
Version #2
Hi All, I checked with Norton
Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus!
Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts
ASAP. PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!
You should be alert during the next few days.. Do not
open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,'
regardless of who sent it to you.. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD
IMAGE, 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. This is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to all
your contacts It is better to receive this message 25 times than to
receive the virus and open it.
If you receive a mail called 'POSTCARD,' even though
sent to you by a friend, do not open it! 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.
COPY THIS E-MAIL, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS. REMEMBER:
IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US
Version #3
You
have recieved A
Hallmark E-Card.
Hello!
You have
recieved a
Hallmark
E-Card from
your friend.
To see it,
check the
attachment.
There's
something
special
about that
E-Card
feeling. We
invite you
to make a
friend's day
and send
one.
Hope to see
you soon,
Your friends
at Hallmark
Hallmark.com |
Privacy & Security |
Customer Service |
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