"Facebook Invitation", "Black in the White House," "Invitation" or "Olympic Torch" Virus Warning-Fiction!

“Facebook Invitation,” “Windows Live Update,” “Black in the White House,” “Invitation” or “Olympic Torch” Virus Warning-Fiction!

 

Summary of eRumor:

The forwarded email warns of a new virus that comes in an email with an attachment called “Black in the White House,” Windows Live Update,” “Invitation” or “Olympic Torch.”  It allegedly contains a virus that “opens an Olympic Torch” and destroys your hard drive.
 

The Truth:

Update 04/06/14: The latest version of this hoax now warns to be aware of software updates claiming to come from Microsoft for Windows Live.   Microsoft does not send out email notifications when update software are available and will never initiate such a contact with users of their products. The software company uses an update protocol through the Internet that is built into the Windows  operating system.  

Nevertheless, it is always a good practice to never click on links in emails that come from strangers. When in doubt, go straight to the software website and look for the support section.

Update 07/19/13: A new version of this warning under the subject “Black Muslim in the White House” began circulating in July. Same warning as all the past versions.

Update 09/22/11:
A new version of this warning has begun circulating about the popular network site Facebook saying that the Invitation will burn the whole hard disc on computer C: drives.


Update 04/05/10:
A new version of this fictitious virus warning is back in circulation saying not to open any attachment called “Black in the White House.”   This virus warning, which originally began circulating at the opening of the 2006 Winter Olympics in February, is a hoax. There is no such virus.

One of the clues that the eRumor is a hoax is that it borrows language from another classic virus hoax. The reference to CNN, the description that Microsoft has classified it as “the most destructive virus ever,” the contention that it was discovered “yesterday” by McAfee, and the reference to the “Zero Sector” of the hard disc are all wording borrowed from a classic Internet virus hoax about “A Card for You.”

Posted 09/22/11    Updated 04/06/14