A Postcard Image Virus – Hoax or Real?

This morning I received an urgent email from a reader about a “new virus” which was classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. I won’t attach a copy of the email in this post since it read much like the emails mentioned at:

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

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/postcard-virus-hoax.shtml

The bottom line is:

1.  There is a real postcard image virus however it’s been around for a long time.

2.  The postcard image virus wasn’t classified by anyone as the most destructive virus ever and it won’t burn your C drive.

3.  The message I was sent is a hoax that has been making the rounds for several years and is usually used to pass a link to a site hosting 1 or more malware Trojans.

4.  When you receive a virus alert don’t panic and stay alert. Never click the included link. Instead go to your favorite search engine and due your own research on the virus.

5.  Never pass on a virus alert without checking it out first. Forwarding false alarms is entirely counterproductive because it serves only to spread misinformation and create confusion about real threats.

Remember, the links inside fake virus alerts are as dangerous as those included in fake notifications from banks, credit card companies and online payment processors. The purpose of the fake notifications is to capture your bank or credit card information. The purpose of fake virus alerts is to infect your computer. And once infected, nothing on your computer is safe.

I want to thank the person who sent me the fake postcard virus alert for wanting to protect me. I also want to thank them because they removed all the links before passing it on and they made me aware of yet another hoax. By removing the links they kept those they sent the message to safe. However, they should contact all those they sent the message to and inform them that the alarm is a hoax and to not pass it on.

To Your Success,
Susan

Tags: most destructive virus, postcard image virus, virus alert, virus hoax

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