Considering the speed with which messages can be copied and sent via e-mail on the Internet, pranksters love to spread phony warnings just to upset as many people as they can. Virus hoaxes such as the Good Times virus tell people that if they open their e-mail, their hard drives will be erased or some such catastrophe will occur.
Just Go Ahead and Delete a File
Another popular hoax is to send an e-mail message to Windows users telling them that a particular file has been downloaded into their computers along with instructions for deleting it. However, the files are actually valid Windows components, such as SULFNBK.EXE and JDBGMGR.EXE, which may be required and must be reinstalled.
Is it a Hoax or Not?
Antivirus vendors such as McAfee, Symantec and Trend Micro maintain lists of virus hoaxes as well as Web sites such as Snopes.com. The Computer Incident Advisory Capability (CIAC) within the U.S. Department of Energy maintained a list of virus hoaxes for 13 years before discontinuing it.
Just Go Ahead and Delete a File
Another popular hoax is to send an e-mail message to Windows users telling them that a particular file has been downloaded into their computers along with instructions for deleting it. However, the files are actually valid Windows components, such as SULFNBK.EXE and JDBGMGR.EXE, which may be required and must be reinstalled.
Is it a Hoax or Not?
Antivirus vendors such as McAfee, Symantec and Trend Micro maintain lists of virus hoaxes as well as Web sites such as Snopes.com. The Computer Incident Advisory Capability (CIAC) within the U.S. Department of Energy maintained a list of virus hoaxes for 13 years before discontinuing it.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
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