Hoaxes on ICQ and E-mail.
This page last edited 30 March 2003
Are you paranoid of viruses? or would you like to know how to identify a hoax
before sending a virus alert hoax to others?
Click here for a cute thing about viruses and hoaxes.
This Page deals with several issues
1. ICQ security settings
2. How does one get a virus.
3. What is a Hoax and how to spot one.
4. Some common Hoaxes going around.
5. Bottom line what should I do?
1. ICQ Security settings.
Don't worry about those virus's unless you are into receiving files from total
strangers. If you use ICQ This will set up adequate security. Bring up your
ICQ contact list. Left click on the ICQ with the little cat. Left click on security
and privacy. Left click on the security tab. Left click on the my authorization
is required. Then only authorize downloads from people you have known a while
and have faith they will not send you a bad file be sure that if you do read
files sent from friends it was truly them who sent it and not an automated computer
virus being sent from their computer without their knowledge. You can right
click on the nicknames of people you trust and Don't trust, set whether you
will accept a file from them or not.
2. How does one get a virus.
A virus cannot be launched unless you load or run the file or program.
An Email cannot infect your pc but a program attachment can.
Always turn off your preview page function on your email software and check
for attachments before opening any email.
Don't run attachments from people you do not know.
There have been web sites that will hack into your hard drive but mostly from
browser flaws.
Most of these bugs have been fixed if you have an up to date browser if you
are not sure check with the browser vendor and see if you have the latest security
fix. Here is the address for the latest security bug fixes for Internet Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/security/default.asp
3. What is a Hoax and How to Spot one
HOW TO SPOT COMPUTER VIRUS HOAXES - (and not embarrass yourself) 1997-09-05
===============================
There are two methods which contribute to making a successful computer virus
hoaxes on the Internet (and relatively easy to spot).
They are:
(1) Technical sounding language
(2) Credibility by association
(3) Pleas for mass distribution.
If the warning uses the proper technical jargon, most individuals, including
technologically savvy individuals, tend to believe the warning is real.
For example, the Good Times hoax says that: "...if the program is not stopped,
the computer's processor will be placed in an nth-complexity infinite binary
loop which can severely damage the processor...".
The first time you read this, it sounds like it might be something real.
With a little research, you find that there is no such thing as an nth-complexity
infinite binary loop and that processors are designed to run loops for weeks
at a time without damage.
When we say "credibility by association" we are referring to whom sent the
warning.
If the janitor at a large technological organization (like IBM or TRW) sends
a warning to someone outside of that organization, people on the outside tend
to believe the warning because the company should know about those things. Even
though the person sending the warning may not have a clue what he is talking
about, the prestige of the company backs the warning, making it appear real.
If a manager at the company sends the warning, the message is doubly backed
by the company's and the manager's reputations.
Another flag to watch for is when the warning indicates that it is a Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) warning.
According to the FCC, they have not and never will disseminate warnings on
viruses. It is not part of their job description.
This also holds true for the FBI, CIA, Secret Service, INTERPOL, Scotland
Yard, Internic, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Department of Defense (DOD), America
OnLine (AOL), and CompuServe. Only warnings from CIAC (Computer Incident Advisory
Capability - U.S. Department of Energy) , CERT (Computer Emergency Response
Team), and NCSA (National Computer Security Association) have potential validity.
But even warnings from these organizations should be checked out first.
Usually, every email about a computer virus hoax ends with a plea to distribute
the information to as many people as possible.
Individuals should also be especially alert if the warning urges you to pass
it on to all your friends associates and colleagues.
This should raise a red flag that the warning may be a hoax.
To save yourself from unnecessary embarrassment, We recommend that you DO
NOT circulate virus warnings without first checking with an authoritative source.
Authoritative sources are your ISP or the even the service you are using such
as ICQ (Mirabilis)
If you receive a suspicious message do not run any attachments until you have
checked it out with you antivirus program.
Also check the web pages of the more popular antivirus programs around they
usually have a list or the names of current viruses going around on the net.
Warnings without the name of the person sending the original notice, or warnings
with names, addresses and phone numbers that do not actually exist are probably
hoaxes.
Warnings from Internet email sources you do not know are almost always hoaxes
or pranks.
4. Some common Hoaxes Going around.
*************************************************************************
COMPUTER VIRUS HOAXES -- Beware of fictitious "Email Warnings" 1997-09-05 ==================
As colleges and universities begin their Fall Semesters or Quarters, there has
been an increased number of Email Warnings being sent around the Internet about
the following FICTITIOUS computer viruses: BUD FROGS SCREENSAVER Virus JOIN
THE CREW Virus BUDDYLST.ZIP Virus GHOST.EXE Virus IRINA Virus MOMENT OF SILENCE
Virus RETURNED OR UNABLE TO DELIVER Virus VALENTINE'S GREETINGS Virus AOL4Free
Email Virus (Not the same as the AOL4Free Trojan Horse Program) PENPAL GREETINGS
Virus DEEYENDA Virus GOOD TIMES Virus These are NOT real computer viruses. They
are HOAXES. They do not and have never existed. The Internet is constantly being
flooded with information about computer viruses and Trojan Horse programs. However,
interspersed among real virus notices are computer virus hoaxes. While these
hoaxes do not infect systems, they are still time consuming and costly to handle.
We find that we are spending much more time de-bunking hoaxes than handling
real computer virus attacks. You are requested to please NOT spread unconfirmed
warnings about viruses and Trojan Horse programs. If you receive a suspicious
or questionable email warning about some NEW virus, don't pass it to all your
friends. Also check out these URL's it may help you with those alerts you have
been getting from others on ICQ and see what ICQ really has to say. http://www.icq.com/support/rumors.html
http://www.icq.com/urge.html
http://www.netitnow.com/icq/forwards.html
http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
ACTUAL VIRUS ALERT
Don't spread
that Hoax!! Avertlabs
Another hoax popular to the net and email are the stories saying so and so has
cancer or some terminal illness and for forwarding this message so much will
be donated to such and such societly. First of all, forwarding a message to
anyone via e-mail or ICQ or any other way does not cast any vote or register
a name or donate any money to any agency or society. E-mail and ICQ messages
are private and there are no programs that log these other than your own ICQ
software. Finally, if you do wish to donate money are anything to any agency
contact that agency directly via the www address. Most hoaxes do not have the
www address to the agency or society that the donation is claimed to go to,
this should signal a warning bell that something isn't right. Therefore contact
the society for example the American Cancer Society and find out about these
hoaxes before forwarding anything to someone else.
5. Bottom line, what should I do?
First of all, if in doubt, don't forward it on to someone else. Second, if
you read something and it isn't directly from the source itself then before
forwarding anything, go to the source and research it and find out and ask if
it is true. Third, if after investigating and it is in fact true, then add the
URL or address for others to confirm the truth of what you have just investigated,
therefore helping others from having to go through what you have just had to
do. Bottom line, do not forward anything that isn't directly from the source
and doesn't have a URL or an address attached to prove validity to the next
person down the line. Just saying it is from Microsoft, Mirabillis or The American
Cancer Society isn't enough proof. A URL page at thier site will prove its validity.
If you forward something not proven to be valid, you are as guilty as the person
who made up the rumor or hoax by forwarding it on to the next person without
determining its validity. ********************************************************************
WARNING, CAUTION, DANGER, AND BEWARE! Gullibility
Virus Spreading over the Internet! ********************************************************************
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The Institute for the Investigation of Irregular Internet
Phenomena announced today that many Internet users are becoming infected by
a new virus that causes them to believe without question every groundless story,
legend, and dire warning that shows up in their inbox or on their browser.
The Gullibility Virus, as it is called, apparently makes people believe and
forward copies of silly hoaxes relating to cookie recipes, email viruses, taxes
on modems, and get-rich-quick schemes [perhaps conspiracy theories should be
included here--C's note]. "These are not just readers of tabloids or people
who buy lottery tickets based on fortune cookie numbers," a spokesman said.
"Most are otherwise normal people, who would laugh at the same stories if told
to them by a stranger on a street corner." However, once these same people become
infected with the Gullibility Virus, they believe anything they read on the
Internet. "My immunity to tall tales and bizarre claims is all gone," reported
one weeping victim. "I believe every warning message and sick child story my
friends forward to me, even though most of the messages are anonymous." Another
victim, now in remission, added, "When I first heard about Good Times, I just
accepted it without question. After all, there were dozens of other recipients
on the mail header, so I thought the virus must be true." It was a long time,
the victim said, before she could stand up at a Hoaxes Anonymous meeting and
state, "My name is Jane, and I've been hoaxed." Now, however, she is spreading
the word. "Challenge and check whatever you read," she says. Internet users
are urged to examine themselves for symptoms of the virus, which include the
following: * the willingness to believe improbable stories
without thinking * the urge to forward multiple copies of such
stories to others * a lack of desire to take three minutes to check
to see if a story is true T. C. is an example of someone recently
infected. He told one reporter, "I read on the Net that the major ingredient
in almost all shampoos makes your hair fall out, so I've stopped using shampoo."
When told about the Gullibility Virus, T. C. said he would stop reading email,
so that he would not become infected. Anyone with symptoms like these is urged
to seek help immediately. Experts recommend that at the first feelings of gullibility,
Internet users rush to their favorite search engine and look up the item tempting
them to thoughtless credence. Most hoaxes, legends, and tall tales have been
widely discussed and exposed by the Internet community. Courses in critical
thinking are also widely available, and there is online help from many sources,
including Department
of Energy Hoaxbusters
Lastly, as a public service, Internet users can help stamp out the Gullibility
Virus by sending copies of this message to anyone who forwards them a hoax.
******************************************************************* This message
is so important, we're sending it anonymously! Forward it to all your friends
right away! Don't think about it! This is not a chain letter! This story
is true! Don't check it out! This story is so timely, there is no date on
it! This story is so important, we're using lots of exclamation points! For
every message you forward to some unsuspecting person, the Home for the Hopelessly
Gullible will donate ten cents to itself. (If you wonder how the Home will
know you are forwarding these messages all over creation, you're obviously thinking
too much.)
******************************************************************* ACT NOW!
DON'T DELAY! LIMITED TIME! NOT SOLD IN ANY STORE! *******************************************************************
