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  • 1.  Serious Virus Warning

    Posted 07-09-1998 04:08
    It's a fake, it's a fake.
     
    The following is taken from the CIAC Internet Hoax site:
    http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html

    It is an excellent idea to check this site before relaying virus alerts.

    WIN A HOLIDAY Hoax

    Circulating the Internet is e-mail messages entitle "WIN A HOLIDAY". These e-mail messages are a hoax and the false warning of a malicious e-mail does not exist. There is currently no virus that has the characteristic described in the message. The message is a variant of the "Join the Crew" hoax and another variant called "JUST WIN A HOLIDAY". CIAC recommends that you DO NOT pass the message to others.

    Here is the standard version of the "WIN A HOLIDAY" alert:

    VIRUS WARNING !!!!!!

    If you receive an email titled "WIN A HOLIDAY" DO NOT open it. It
    will erase everything on your hard drive. Forward this letter out
    as many people as you can. This is a new, very malicious virus and
    not many people know about it. This information was announced
    yesterday morning from Microsoft; please share it with everyone
    that might access the Internet. Once again, pass this along to
    EVERYONE in our address book so that this may be stopped. Also, do
    not open or even look at any mail that says "RETURNED OR UNABLE TO
    DELIVER" This virus will attach itself to your computer components
    and render them useless. Immediately delete any mail items that
    say this. AOL has said that this is a very dangerous virus and
    that there is NO remedy for it at this time. Please practice
    cautionary measures and forward this to all your online friends
    ASAP.

    P.S.  My own experience with these internet-based virus warnings is that they are all hoaxes; I have yet to receive one that was related to a real virus.  However, I'm always cautious enough to check.

    Hank Leland
    Research Department
    Service Employees International Union
    lelandh@seiu.org