Killer computer virus has been launched (no kidding)

[TomInTib]

My GF already received one of these emails.

DO NOT OPEN ANYTHING THAT READS "POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK"

It will be from someone in your address book.


The following is a copy of an email from a techie friend...


>> Subject: Very Bad Computer Virus Coming...Please Read!!!!!]
>>
>> Hi All, checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing
>> up for this virus. I checked Snopes (URL above), and it is
>> for real.
>> 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 let all your contacts know about this. &n bsp;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.
>>
>> & nbsp; 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, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS.
>> REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US
>>

[DJ13]

1. 'Postcard' or 'Postcard from Hallmark' Virus Hoax

Netlore Archive: False email alert warns of 'the worst virus ever' circulating in the form of an attachment labeled 'POSTCARD' or 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK'

Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: Feb. 2008 (this version)
Status: False, although real e-card viruses resembling this do exist

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_postcard_virus.htm
POSTCARD or POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK Virus Hoax - Urban Legends

[rhett o rick]

11. I am so totally confused. Is the poster warning us of a hoax or propagating it. nm

[TwilightZone]

13. Propagating it, it would appear, perhaps unintentionally.

[rhett o rick]

15. That's what I thought, Thanks for the clarification. nm

[melody]

2. You know, someday someone will send a killer computer virus by email

And no one will believe the warnings because of all these false alerts.

[RichardRay]

3. This is also an example of a 'social engineering' virus.

If you visit the snopes URL you'd probably find something that resembles what the email warns of, but is actually not the same thing. The Bad Guys model these things as closely as they can on something real, then try to fob it off with the references. It takes at least a few clicks to a few other sites, or a couple of active queries to anti-virus sites to debunk them. (Not to mention an actual current subscription to an anti-virus site!) They depend on people deciding to do the careful thing and pass it along. Then they sit around and giggle about the amount of bandwidth they're burning up.

Ass holes. I don't even want to think about the amount of time, money and wasted effort this stuff costs us. I really don't like these guys. Really.

[parasim]

4. No kidding...

They sit there laughing their asses off at the thought of some shmuck shutting down his computer whenever a cute little ecard from Aunt Sally is sitting in the inbox.

[Overseas]

5. Here's a link to the actual Snopes entry because some postcard emails

actually do contain viruses.

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

[cliffordu]

6. or, you could just learn to use LINUX and not worry....

I think I just got the joke, but my advice still stands....

[sellitman]

7. Buy an Apple.

No worries here.

[Kalyke]

8. Or, if you're not rich enough to afford an Apple, then get

good anti-virus software.

Kaspersky is great.

[alfredo]

16. They start at $599. Not that expensive.

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

I have the $799 model. It's pretty good. It's a MacBook without the keyboard and monitor. .

[Tesha]

19. You certainly are a wellspring of mis-informed opinions.

Macintosh computers are not particularly expensive, especially
if you value your time at all. But you seem to have the same
pedestrian tastes in computers that you have in cars, so no
surprises here.

Tesha

[Liberal In Texas]

9. "Shut down your computer immediately" always smell like a hoax.

As though that would do any good even if this was real.

[nichomachus]

10. So does, "Send to everyone in your address book" -- 99% probability of a hoax

[LisaL]

18. Exactly. What are you supposed to do after you shut it down?

Never turn it back on?
LOL.

[GeorgeGist]

12. Warning: Do Not Open, Copy or Send

any email warning of (Hallmark) postcard virus.

:freak:
:nuke:

[medeak]

14. Received it a month ago

and it was promptly quarantined by Norton anti-virus

[aquart]

17. What was? The warning or the ecard?

[medeak]

20. Hallmark ecard n/t

[SalmonChantedEvening]

21. Sent it to everyone. Thank you Bro.

K&R