Netlore Archive: Hoax email alert warns of 'the worst virus ever' circulating in the form of an attachment labeled 'POSTCARD'
With so many real viruses afoot these days bearing names almost identical to the nonexistent threats warned of in hoax messages, it is crucial to be able to distinguish between the real threats and the bogus ones.
Keep the following points in mind:
1. There are real viruses, trojans, and other forms of malware currently being distributed by means of spoofed (phony) e-card notices.
This means all users must be very careful when dealing with e-card notices, no matter what the apparent source. Before clicking on any links or attachments, check to see if you can verify that the notice came from a legitimate source -- it's not always easy. If you can't verify, don't click.
DON'T click on links or attachments in e-card notices that arrive anonymously, or from senders whose names you don't recognize.
DON'T click on attachments or links that seem suspicious in any other way.
2. In general, forwarded warnings such as the 'POSTCARD' alert above cannot be trusted to provide accurate information.
READ CAREFULLY! Don't confuse hoaxes with the real thing. Bogus virus warnings often contain links to websites which, at first glance, may seem to confirm the authenticity of the message, but which in fact discuss a completely different matter.
This is a case in point. Despite the fact that there are real e-card viruses, the "POSTCARD" warning above is, in fact, a hoax. It is simply the newest of many variants of a hoax message circulating for the past several years (compare the texts and you'll see what I mean). Don't depend on this type of warning for protection, and avoid forwarding such messages to others unless you can confirm with some certainty that the threat they describe is real.
3. Protecting yourself from real virus and trojan threats entails a few simple but critical measures. Follow them religiously!
- Always be very careful concerning which attachments you open and which files you download. If you can't be reasonably sure they are safe, don't open or download them.
- Maintain up-to-date antivirus software on your computer, configure it to detect trojan horses and other malware automatically, and scan for viruses and other threats regularly.
- Always be careful concerning which links you click on, especially in messages from anonymous or unfamiliar sources. Clicking on these links can instantly download malicious software onto your computer. Again, if you can't be reasonably sure a link is safe, don't click on it.
