A friend recently forwarded a virus warning message that contains elements of fact and fiction. Mixing falsehoods in with truth, still always results in an untrue overall message.
THE GOOD -- In some respects, it does point to the Storm Worm and the need to avoid e-cards and clicking on URLs that might be present in an email message. It shares a link to Snopes which is also legitimate. Still, most users should be aware of the dangers of opening any unexpected attachments or clicking or any links found in an email message.
THE BAD -- However, much of the message makes false claims (e.g., burning a hole in the hard drive, etc.), that can confuse users and cause issues. For example, immediately shutting down a PC upon receipt of an email message titled as POSTCARD could cause someone to loose work on any sessions that were open.
THE UGLY -- Passing on these types of messages also can cause folks to have to read and deal with unnecessary email. False alerts can also cause folks to be off-guard when real attacks surface.
COPY OF POSTCARD EMAIL HOAX below .....
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:36:17 -0500
From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Fw: Virus Named 'Postcard'
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:26:06 -0400
Hi All, I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus!
I checked snopes.com, and it is for real!!
http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp
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,' 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.