Postcard Virus (Snopes confirmed it's real)

[TexasStooge]

I don't know if this has been posted before, but I'm gonna post it anyways.

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

A new virus has just been discovered that has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive ever. This virus was discovered yesterday afternoon by McAfee . This virus simply destroys Sector Zero from the hard disk, where vital information for its functioning are stored. This virus acts in the following manner: It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your list with the title: *"You've received a Post Card from a Family member or Friend". *

As soon as the supposed virtual card is opened the computer freezes so that the user has to reboot. When the ctrl+alt+ ! del keys or the reset button are pressed, the virus destroys Sector Zero, thus permanently destroying the hard disk. Yesterday in just a few hours this virus caused panic in New York , according to news broadcast by CNN.

This alert was received by an employee of Microsoft itself. So *_don't open _*any mails with subject: *"A Post Card from ..*" As soon as you get the mail, *delete it *!! Even if you know the sender !!! *

Please pass this mail to all of your friends. *

Forward this to everyone in your address book. I'm sure most people, like myself, I would rather receive this notice 25 times than not at All.

It seems some hackers can't leave well enough alone, can they?

[Derek Ortt]

anyone that sends these virii, should be executed, IMO. They pose a serious threat to the nation as a whole, and these traitors should be burned alive at the stake (and I do not exactly care if these are just kiddies, if one is old enough to potentially destroy large parts of the nation's computing resources, they are old enough to be executed for their crimes)

[Stephanie]

How do you REALLY feel Derek?

I can't say that I agree about being executed - maybe they should lose their fingers so they can't type. They are a menace.

I have received a ton of those e-mails in my bulk e-mail folder.

[Ptarmigan]

anyone that sends these virii, should be executed, IMO. They pose a serious threat to the nation as a whole, and these traitors should be burned alive at the stake (and I do not exactly care if these are just kiddies, if one is old enough to potentially destroy large parts of the nation's computing resources, they are old enough to be executed for their crimes)

Speaking of it, viruses can harm hospital computers and patients could die. I don't understand why anyone would create a virus to mess up the network?

[Beam]

A new virus has just been discovered that has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive ever. This virus was discovered yesterday afternoon by McAfee . This virus simply destroys Sector Zero from the hard disk, where vital information for its functioning are stored. This virus acts in the following manner: It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your list with the title: *"You've received a Post Card from a Family member or Friend". *

As soon as the supposed virtual card is opened the computer freezes so that the user has to reboot. When the ctrl+alt+ ! del keys or the reset button are pressed, the virus destroys Sector Zero, thus permanently destroying the hard disk. Yesterday in just a few hours this virus caused panic in New York , according to news broadcast by CNN.

This alert was received by an employee of Microsoft itself. So *_don't open _*any mails with subject: *"A Post Card from ..*" As soon as you get the mail, *delete it *!! Even if you know the sender !!! *

Please pass this mail to all of your friends. *

Forward this to everyone in your address book. I'm sure most people, like myself, I would rather receive this notice 25 times than not at All.

All of that text is a hoax from 2002, found here: http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/virtualcard.asp
except it's been altered slightly to make it appear to apply to this incident.

It's fake, it's over five years old, and it has nothing to do with the page you linked to. There's even a note at the bottom warning readers not to confuse the two incidents. Although real, this is not the most destructive virus ever, nor does it destroy "sector zero", nor has it caused panic in New York. Just someone's attempt to create hype and panic over a relatively average virus.

Also, executing virus writers? Give me a break.

[gtalum]

Speaking of it, viruses can harm hospital computers and patients could die. I don't understand why anyone would create a virus to mess up the network?

Not likely. Anyone with a halfway decent antivirus protection (not to mention anyone with the sense to not click email links that they don't know) doesn't have to worry about it.

[gtalum]

anyone that sends these virii, should be executed, IMO.

Execution? For what amounts to vandalism? That's a bit extreme.

[MississippiHurricane]

I have gotten 10 of these "postcards" in my email which i never use............the anti-virus program i have alerted me to everyone (i wasnt gonna open anyway) Needless to say.........glad i didnt

[fasterdisaster]

anyone that sends these virii, should be executed, IMO. They pose a serious threat to the nation as a whole, and these traitors should be burned alive at the stake (and I do not exactly care if these are just kiddies, if one is old enough to potentially destroy large parts of the nation's computing resources, they are old enough to be executed for their crimes)