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Hallo Alfie · 29th October 2009, 12:21 AM

Received this warning from AFP.
I have no reason to believe it is not genuine.

arthwollipot · 29th October 2009, 12:41 AM

It's fake, and here's why.

#1: AFP does not issue warnings of this kind on their own letterhead.
#2: The phrase "It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer." is very similar to known hoaxes
#3: The language in this phrase is extremely non-technical, betraying its origin with a writer who has no clue how computers work.
#4: The behaviour described is not the way genuine computer viruses operate.
#5: It asks that you send it to everyone in your contact list.
#6: It claims that reputable news organisations (CNN) and software companies (Microsoft) claim that this is "the worst virus ever".
#7: It claims that there is no known cure.

All these are diagnostic of a hoax. The last three in particular are gigantic red flags. If you ever receive a message claiming these three things, it is absolutely a hoax.

Hallo Alfie · 29th October 2009, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by arthwollipot

It's fake, and here's why.

#1: AFP does not issue warnings of this kind on their own letterhead.
#2: The phrase "It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer." is very similar to known hoaxes
#3: The language in this phrase is extremely non-technical, betraying its origin with a writer who has no clue how computers work.
#4: The behaviour described is not the way genuine computer viruses operate.
#5: It asks that you send it to everyone in your contact list.
#6: It claims that reputable news organisations (CNN) and software companies (Microsoft) claim that this is "the worst virus ever".
#7: It claims that there is no known cure.

All these are diagnostic of a hoax. The last three in particular are gigantic red flags. If you ever receive a message claiming these three things, it is absolutely a hoax.

Thanks.

I actually got it from what I would describe as a reputable source.
Tell me, is there actually any point to this sort of hoax?

I'm not that pc lit uc?

MRC_Hans · 29th October 2009, 01:03 AM

Here is another sure sign (always look for what they want you do):

Quote:

If you receive a mail called 'invitation', though sent by a friend, do not open it and shut down your computer immediately.

They start by warning against an attachment named 'invitation', but suddenly, its the title.

If you don't upen it, why should you shut down your computer?

So what is the purpose? Well, a sort of practical joke, they wanr their victims to ingore some invitation from their friends, then just shut down their computer.

.... So what then? Buy new ine?

Hans

Alan · 29th October 2009, 01:06 AM

There's an article about this hoax from 2007.

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Home_Of...pport/F5W3R8A4

Dancing David · 29th October 2009, 04:46 AM

Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie

Thanks.

I actually got it from what I would describe as a reputable source.
Tell me, is there actually any point to this sort of hoax?

I'm not that pc lit uc?

Get email addresses, potentially download malware, all sorts of reasons.

Hallo Alfie · 29th October 2009, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by Dancing David

Get email addresses, potentially download malware, all sorts of reasons.

Roger that
Thanks

arthwollipot · 29th October 2009, 06:15 AM

Some hoaxes seem to have no particular purpose other than to see how long they can be perpetuated. I'm sure that whoever started the hoax that Bill Gates will send people money for forwarding the message is tremendously pleased with himself.

Wudang · 29th October 2009, 01:40 PM

I've seen variants of this hoax since 1994.

The Central Scrutinizer · 29th October 2009, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie

Tell me, is there actually any point to this sort of hoax?

Quite frankly, it's to see how many gullible people they can get to pass it along.

Hallo Alfie · 29th October 2009, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

Quite frankly, it's to see how many gullible people they can get to pass it along.

Sure, kick me while I'm down

The Central Scrutinizer · 30th October 2009, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie

Sure, kick me while I'm down

It's what I do.

quarky · 30th October 2009, 10:01 PM

I forget, is anyone still looking for Bin Laden? Haven't heard much about him in awhile, and not sure if Obama has brought it up.

Hallo Alfie · 30th October 2009, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by quarky

I forget, is anyone still looking for Bin Laden? Haven't heard much about him in awhile, and not sure if Obama has brought it up.

Aparently he's been hanged.

quarky · 31st October 2009, 08:56 AM

Oh.

(I thought he was hung.)

Alan · 31st October 2009, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by quarky

Oh.

(I thought he was hung.)

It's possible that you were both right.

Vermonter · 3rd November 2009, 05:23 AM

Some people are just, quite simply, jerks.

29th October 2009, 06:15 AM	#8
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 43,242	Some hoaxes seem to have no particular purpose other than to see how long they can be perpetuated. I'm sure that whoever started the hoax that Bill Gates will send people money for forwarding the message is tremendously pleased with himself.
	__________________ Jadey (in RvB game thread): I just want to take a moment to commend Arth on his role as Parasitic Alien Tumor. I think he really connected with the character and there were times when I forgot that he was just acting. That's the kind of talent that you can't teach.

29th October 2009, 01:40 PM	#9
Wudang BOFH Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sheffield Posts: 8,316	I've seen variants of this hoax since 1994.
	__________________ Aphorism: Subjects most likely to be declared inappropriate for humor are the ones most in need of it. -epepke

29th October 2009, 06:31 PM	#10
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,572	Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie Tell me, is there actually any point to this sort of hoax? Quite frankly, it's to see how many gullible people they can get to pass it along.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

30th October 2009, 09:09 PM	#12
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,572	Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie Sure, kick me while I'm down It's what I do.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

30th October 2009, 10:01 PM	#13
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454	I forget, is anyone still looking for Bin Laden? Haven't heard much about him in awhile, and not sure if Obama has brought it up.
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454

29th October 2009, 12:41 AM	#2
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 43,242	It's fake, and here's why. #1: AFP does not issue warnings of this kind on their own letterhead. #2: The phrase "It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer." is very similar to known hoaxes #3: The language in this phrase is extremely non-technical, betraying its origin with a writer who has no clue how computers work. #4: The behaviour described is not the way genuine computer viruses operate. #5: It asks that you send it to everyone in your contact list. #6: It claims that reputable news organisations (CNN) and software companies (Microsoft) claim that this is "the worst virus ever". #7: It claims that there is no known cure. All these are diagnostic of a hoax. The last three in particular are gigantic red flags. If you ever receive a message claiming these three things, it is absolutely a hoax.
	__________________ Jadey (in RvB game thread): I just want to take a moment to commend Arth on his role as Parasitic Alien Tumor. I think he really connected with the character and there were times when I forgot that he was just acting. That's the kind of talent that you can't teach.

29th October 2009, 12:53 AM	#3
Hallo Alfie Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 10,113	Originally Posted by arthwollipot It's fake, and here's why. #1: AFP does not issue warnings of this kind on their own letterhead. #2: The phrase "It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer." is very similar to known hoaxes #3: The language in this phrase is extremely non-technical, betraying its origin with a writer who has no clue how computers work. #4: The behaviour described is not the way genuine computer viruses operate. #5: It asks that you send it to everyone in your contact list. #6: It claims that reputable news organisations (CNN) and software companies (Microsoft) claim that this is "the worst virus ever". #7: It claims that there is no known cure. All these are diagnostic of a hoax. The last three in particular are gigantic red flags. If you ever receive a message claiming these three things, it is absolutely a hoax. Thanks. I actually got it from what I would describe as a reputable source. Tell me, is there actually any point to this sort of hoax? I'm not that pc lit uc?

29th October 2009, 01:03 AM	#4
MRC_Hans Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Whithin earshot of the North Sea Posts: 16,604	Here is another sure sign (always look for what they want you do): Quote: If you receive a mail called 'invitation', though sent by a friend, do not open it and shut down your computer immediately. They start by warning against an attachment named 'invitation', but suddenly, its the title. If you don't upen it, why should you shut down your computer? So what is the purpose? Well, a sort of practical joke, they wanr their victims to ingore some invitation from their friends, then just shut down their computer. .... So what then? Buy new ine? Hans
	__________________ Don't. Just don't.

29th October 2009, 01:06 AM	#5
Alan Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,658	There's an article about this hoax from 2007. http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Home_Of...pport/F5W3R8A4

29th October 2009, 04:46 AM	#6
Dancing David Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 34,919	Originally Posted by A.A.Alfie Thanks. I actually got it from what I would describe as a reputable source. Tell me, is there actually any point to this sort of hoax? I'm not that pc lit uc? Get email addresses, potentially download malware, all sorts of reasons.
	__________________ Hell, dynamiting fish in a barrel is more challenging. - Ladewig I suspect you are a sandwich, metaphorically speaking. -Donn And a shot rang out. Now Space is doing time... -Ben Burch You built the toilet - don't complain when people crap in it. _Kid Eager

29th October 2009, 04:50 AM	#7
Hallo Alfie Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 10,113	Originally Posted by Dancing David Get email addresses, potentially download malware, all sorts of reasons. Roger that Thanks

29th October 2009, 10:23 PM	#11
Hallo Alfie Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 10,113	Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer Quite frankly, it's to see how many gullible people they can get to pass it along. Sure, kick me while I'm down

30th October 2009, 10:21 PM	#14
Hallo Alfie Suspended Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 10,113	Originally Posted by quarky I forget, is anyone still looking for Bin Laden? Haven't heard much about him in awhile, and not sure if Obama has brought it up. Aparently he's been hanged.

31st October 2009, 08:56 AM	#15
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454	Oh. (I thought he was hung.)
quarky Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 20,454

31st October 2009, 11:26 PM	#16
Alan Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,658	Originally Posted by quarky Oh. (I thought he was hung.) It's possible that you were both right.

3rd November 2009, 05:23 AM	#17
Vermonter Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 442	Some people are just, quite simply, jerks.