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Newsletter Archives - Email Hoaxes February 2, 2003 Special Feature: Ways to Detect an Email Virus Hoax
We periodically get emails from subscribers of this newsletter telling us about how they’ve been tricked into believing a virus hoax that they received by email, sometimes to the detriment of their computer (as in they just deleted a needed file). Since we’ve gotten several in the past few days, we’re re-posting the following article:
- Beware of warnings that claim a virus is undetectable. In general, if you keep your antivirus software up-to-date, your system will nab the latest viruses.
- If the e-mail message's subject line includes words such as Urgent, Warning, or even Virus Alert, it's often a good indication that you're dealing with a hoax.
- Look out for pseudo-technical discussions on the dangers of the virus.
- To create an impression of credibility, a hoax often quotes a well-known company or agency, such as Microsoft, the Federal Communications Commission, or an antivirus company. Check the Web sites of the sources quoted (or see your antivirus vendor's site). Remember also that Microsoft never posts virus alerts via e-mail.
- Beware of messages that insist you delete a file manually.
- False alerts always urge you to tell everyone you know. Genuine alerts never do.
- New viruses almost always make the news. More than likely you’d hear about a new, groundbreaking virus there first, way before the email that your brother-in-law forwards to you.
************************************* September 1, 2002 Special Feature: Current Hoaxes and Scams
Another Email Hoax is Going Around:
We recently got a question from a subscriber who wanted to know if a current Spam going around is real -- it claims that if you want to stop the release of your personal information to "everyone under the sun" starting July 1, you need to take action.
Here's part of the email:
>>Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't already heard, the four major credit bureaus in the US will be allowed, starting July 1, to release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers, etc., to anyone who requests it.<<
The email goes on to tell you (in capital letters) that you should pass this message on to all in your address book and your personal friends.
This is a hoax; don't be tempted to forward this to all your friends.
Hint: Any email that tells you to pass the message on to everyone is almost definitely NOT legitimate!
The following scam is not an email hoax, but certainly worth mentioning. Take a look at the FCC’s website (link below), just to make sure you don’t fall prey to any realistic sounding scams.
The FCC has posted a very interesting page called Consumer Alerts and Factsheets. It provides information on important telephone, broadcasting and Internet scams.
For example, a new scam alert was posted called Beware of Telemarketing Scam.
Here's how this scam works:
You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be an official of a state Do-Not-Call registry, or some antifraud consumer group. The scammer asks if you want to be on your state's Do-Not-Call list, or asks you to verify your previous registration on such a list.
As the call progresses, the scammer asks you for personal information, such as your Social Security, credit card and/or bank account numbers, supposedly to confirm that the scammer is talking with the correct person.
The scammers then have all they need to commit fraud with your information.
Here is what the FCC says about Do-Not-Call registries:
You should not receive a call from such a registry. Signing up for these state-sponsored Do-Not-Call lists is generally initiated by the consumer. It is usually free (or requires only a very nominal fee).
Once you are signed up for such a Do-Not-Call registry, there is no reason f or follow-up calls. Further, you should NEVER need to verify your registration with personal or financial information.
For the list of FCC Consumer Alerts and Factsheets, visit: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/information_directory.html
************************************* August 5, 2002 The jdbgmgr.exe Virus Hoax
The following is a question sent in by a newsletter subscriber:
I have a question about an e-mail that was sent to me about a virus called jdbgmgr.exe. The e-mail gave me instructions to search my C: drive to look for this virus, which has the icon of a little bear next to it. I did the search and found this virus was on my hard drive. The instructions said to delete the file, which I did. Then it is suggested that I contact everyone in my address book, which I did.
What kind of damage does this virus do to the hard drive? What kind of computer problems should I be looking for?
Answer: Unfortunately, you’ve been deceived by a virus hoax. The file jdbgmgr.exe is a file that will be present on your computer and that your computer needs to perform certain tasks.
If you have already followed the directions and deleted the file, you can get it back by re-installing Microsoft Virtual Machine at: http://www.microsoft.com/java/vm/dl_vm40.htm The web site has more details about how to reinstall the file and more information about this hoax.
************************************* July 7, 2002 Beware Afghanistan E-Mail Scam PC World reports that the U.S. Secret Service is warning of a new e-mail scam circulating around the Web from someone claiming to be a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan and promising cash in exchange for a bank account number. Click here to read The Top Ten Worst Internet Hoaxes from PC World magazine. (Used with permission.) ************************************* June 2, 2002 Be Aware of Email Hoaxes!
There is an email hoax currently making the rounds warning people of a virus called jdbgmgr.exe. This is not a virus – this is an email hoax. If you receive an email warning you about this virus, do NOT follow the instructions and do NOT delete this file from your computer.
Government agencies and other organizations involved in the computer industries are usually on top of current viruses and if there is a new virus out there, more than likely you will hear information about it on the news long before you would receive a warning in a forwarded email.
************************************* May 12, 2002 Another Email Hoax to Watch Out For
A new email hoax has been circulating recently. According to this email, the sender has an address book infected with a virus and has inadvertently sent this virus to you. The email claims that the virus is called jdbgmgr.exe and goes on to tell you how to find and delete this.
This is not a virus. If you search for this on your computer, you will find it. This is a file that is on your computer, is supposed to be on your computer and is needed by your computer in order for it to operate optimally.
This email is a hoax. Be aware of any emails you receive that warn you about viruses, tell you about giving away money or vacations, ask for money for children, talk about unlikely news events, or any other unbelievable phenomena. ************************************* April 7, 2002 Don’t Forward Hoaxes
Hoaxes are chain letters telling stories of computer viruses, something for free (even money), new laws and much more. They all have one thing in common: they are not true.
This is why you should not forward such a story unless you have investigated it yourself. You will irritate those who do not spot the hoax and they will probably pass it on. Those who identify the hoax will likely send you a message notifying you that you passed on what’s called an Urban Legend.
A very old hoax has been appearing again: the one about the law in congress that will soon start charging for email. It’s a hoax - don’t believe it!
************************************* March 3, 2002 Beware of Internet Hoaxes
There are hundreds and hundreds of Internet hoaxes around. Many people fall for them, some even send money to con artists and scammers. Others forward email hoaxes to everyone they know. In any case, be aware of scams and hoaxes out there.
Here's are a couple of hints on how to spot an email hoax:
1. If the world is coming to an end, or some other earth shattering event (like Bill Gates giving away money!), that would tempt you to forward an email to everyone you’ve ever known, more than likely you would have heard about it on CNN first.
2. A sure way to spot a hoax is this: somewhere in the email, it says “ forward to everyone you know.” Sure thing, the writer is looking for their 15 minutes of fame, even if that just means a million people are reading what they wrote.
Warning: there is a very popular hoax that has been going around for a long time telling the recipient about a virus that they may have caught.
According to this message, if you have a file called SULFNBK.EXE on your computer, you've caught the virus. THIS IS NOT A VIRUS! DON'T DELETE THIS FILE! Every computer has this file on it; it's needed for the computer to work. ************************************* Click here to return to Newsletter Articles Index Click here to read about The Top Ten Worst Internet Hoaxes |
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