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BS: Amish virus
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BS: Amish virus |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: aussiebloke Date: 24 Mar 01 - 04:03 PM Virus hoaxes and chain letters drive me bananas - and I feel a moral obligation to debunk them or ignore them on every occasion - anything but pass them on. I got a classic of the genre recently, from a newbie who became sufficiently anxious that he retyped pages and pages of the nonsense, poor feller - I tried to let him down gently, and he appreciated the information - but not all who get similar feedback take it so graciously. Some folks seems to thinks that they are saving me from the boogie-man, and are dissapointed that I no longer believe in him/her/it. If you feel moved to forward 'to every one on your list' every breathless hoax and chain-letter that lands in your e-mail box - you may have Compulsive Forwarding Syndrome - therapy is available. The particular hoax I recieved mentioned not just one big bad nasty virus - it had a mish-mash of numerous hoaxes and infoblah about some real viruses all rolled into one... If you get a virus hoax, you might consider returning to the sender something like the guff below - with the suggestion that they forward similar debunking and empowering info - and a 'virus hoax retraction notice' to every one on THEIR bloody list. Dear "insert name of person who sent you the hoax" While I appreciate all the trouble that you have gone to in forwarding this information about viruses (?virii), sorry to inform you that you have been the victim of a hoax. There are dozens of these hoaxes that circulate, and they do worry people... Virus hoaxes are really interesting in themselves - part of email & internet culture. I've taken the opportunity to do some current virus research based on this list - below are the findings and some comments about hoaxes, viruses and the world in general. Hope this is of some interest to you. Of the viruses (with repeats) mentioned - it appears that only five (5) are real viruses, 20 or so are hoaxes. Some of the names are very close to the names of real viruses. It is a great letter, a classic of the hoax genre, but not a scholarly work. Here is a reference to the letter you retyped. http://www.stiller.com/perrin.htm The best thing to do when you get a hysterical warning about this-or-that virus is to just ignore it, or if you are keen to check to see whether it really exists or not at a reputable virus information site - I use and recommend: http://www.symantec.com/ or http://www.datafellows.com/ They each have an on-line encyclopaedia of viruses, and if between them they don't list the virus, it probably doesn't exist. I ran each of the virus names through the search function at both sites. They both list perrin.exe as essentially a hoax. Datafellows offer a FREEBIE download of f-prot (a virus checker) and regular virus free definition updates. Symantec offers the service of doing a FREEBIE live scan of your hard-drive looking for viruses and trojan horses. >>>Please, send this information to every person in your address book!!!!!! Anything that says 'please send this to everyone in your address book' is usually a hoax, written in the breathless and hysterical language of an excitable 14 year old, the usually excessive number of exclamation marks are also a bit of a giveaway.
>>>If you receive an e-mail that reads "Upgrade Internet" do not open it, as it contains an executable file named "perrin.exe" it will erase all the data in your hard drive and it will stay in your memory.
>>>Every time that you upload any data, that data will be automatically erased and you will not be able to use your computer again.
>>>This information was published yesterday in the CNN site.
>>>This is a very dangerous virus.
>>>To this date. There is no known antivirus program for this particular virus please, forward this information to your friends, so that they will be on the alert, also check the list below, sent by IBM with the names of some e-mails that, if received. SHOULD NOT BE OPENED and must be deleted immediately. Because they contain attached viruses.
>>>This way your computer will be safe.
The hoax then went on and on and listed a heap of virussy sounding names... I did a search for each of these so-called viruses at the two virus info sites: 1) buddylst.exe Symantec: not listed Datafellows: hoax 2) calcul8r.exe Symantec: not listed Datafellows: not listed 3) deathpr.exe Symantec: hoax Datafellows: not listed 4) einstein.exe Symantec: hoax Datafellows: not listed 5) happ.exe Symantec: hoax Datafellows: not listed 6) girls.exe Symantec: possible name for the hybris worm virus http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/sonic.shtml Datafellows: possible name for the hybris worm virus 7) happy99.exe Genuine Trojan! Info here: http://www.stiller.com/happy99.htm http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/happy99.worm.html 8) japanese.exe Symantec: close, it lists Japanese Xmas, but not japanese.exe as a Non-resident COM-files virus Datafellows: hoax 9) keypress.exe Genuine virus! Symantec: hoax Datafellows: Resident COM/EXE-files http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/keypress.shtml 10) kitty.exe Symantec: hoax Datafellows: close again... lists kit.exe as a virus, not kitty.exe 11) monday.exe Symantec: Datafellows: lists one called Monday 1st - a rare Russian nuisance virus http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/beware.shtml 12) teletubb.exe Symantec: hoax Datafellows: not listed 13) The Phantom Menace Symantec: hoax Datafellows: lists a Phantom, not Phantom Menace virus. 14) prettypark.exe Worm virus! Symantec: http://www.symantec.com/ns-search/techsupp/bulletin/archive/nav/0699navspc1.html?NS-search-set=/3a891/aaac7aidm8912d0&NS-doc-offset=12 Datafellows: http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/prettyp.shtml 15) UP-GRADE INTERNET Very current - travels in a picture of Anna Kournikova filename: AnnaKournikova.jpg.vbs Symantec: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/vbs.sst@mm.html Datafellows: not listed 16) perrin.exe Symantec: no listing Datafellows: no listing 17) I love You Genuine VBScript Worm! Info here: http://www.stiller.com/lovelet.htm Datafellows: http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/love.shtml 18) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Symantec: not listed Datafellows: not listed Is this the hahaha virus now doing the rounds? 19) CELCOM Screen Saver or CELSAVER.EX Symantec: not listed Datafellows: not listed 20) Win a Holiday (e-mail) Symantec: not listed as win a holiday, just 'holiday' http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/cgi-bin/virauto.cgi?vid=3282 Datafellows: not listed 21) JOIN THE CREW 0 PENPALS Subject: Virus Symantec: 'Crew' virus is listed, not 'join the crew' Datafellows: hoax http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/jtcrew.shtml
As if the endless list of hoax and real viruses wasn't enough, this hoax went on and on...
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: Jeri Date: 24 Mar 01 - 09:32 AM Frank, thanks. I could remember the punch line, but not the joke. There's the following virus. Yes, I have a big bug up my butt about chain letters. I am a recovering Hoaxaholic, and everyone knows those in recovery are often more - what's the word, "anal?"...no, "energetic" sounds better - than others. 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 forwarded copies of silly hoaxes relating to cookie recipes, email viruses, taxes on modems, and get-rich-quick schemes.
"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. 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 favourite 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. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: FOG(Friend of Gnome) Date: 24 Mar 01 - 09:06 AM I think I have the Amish virus on my hard drive. Norton Anti Virus just comes up with the following. Your registry data has been corrupted. Go out, buy a small patch of land, live simply, and get one of those big floppy black hats with the wide brim. Any advice on how to remove this most pernicious of beasts. As a true pagan, I am rather worried. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: Pseudolus Date: 23 Mar 01 - 04:11 PM OK, back to the thread.....hey guestguestguest, was that an Amish drive by shooting I just heard? Thought so... *g* Frank |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: Jeri Date: 23 Mar 01 - 11:20 AM He just indicated we'd seen it before - he didn't say anything nasty. I didn't either - just being my typical smart-aleck self. I think you're attributing a lot of motivation to Alex that he didn't have a clue he had. In any case, if I failed to welcome Luke when he joined in Nov 00, welcome Luke! We, as you have probably noticed, have a fairly easy-going type of conversation, where our comments are taken as being meant in a good-natured way...most of the time...well, some of the time. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: John Hardly Date: 23 Mar 01 - 10:37 AM Just an honest inquiry Dave, Maybe Alex has an ongoing rapport with Luke and they have been back-and-forthing treading on each other's threads. As a casual observer, however, the act of pointing out Luke's redundancy to the site was really not necessary. If it was a repetition, it may have just died of natural causes, or it might have elicited responses from those who are less frequent visitors---with whom Luke may be able to make connections. Maybe Alex was the one who started the previous gag, in which case he might tell me that he didn't appreciate his material being take w/out permission. We're all reaching out in our own way for human connection, companionship, fellowship or we probably wouldn't be here--especially as regards posting BS. Unless Alex' motivations were as I stated above, or some other harmless reason, his post seemed merely aimed at ensuring that not only he, but following thread readers ignore Luke's proffered hand. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: Dave the Gnome Date: 23 Mar 01 - 10:01 AM I don't understand John. What is hurtful - The virus, the joke or pointing out it has already done the rounds? The virus won't be hurtful coz it's a joke. The joke won't be coz Amish folks won't read it anyway (and I think they would see the funny side even if they did - anyone looking like ZZ Top must have a sense of humour!). I don't think anyone telling a joke will be offended by people saying they have heard it before so what am I missing? To coin Robbie Williams (sorry to use such profanities on a folk site;-)) - Is there a tumour in my humour? We need to know these things!!! If offense is caused we need to know how and why so we can avoid (or repeat) it in future! Dave the Gnomish
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: John Hardly Date: 23 Mar 01 - 09:15 AM even if it had made the rounds a few weeks ago, what could possibly be the reason to point this out, other than to be hurtful? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: Jeri Date: 23 Mar 01 - 09:13 AM OK, we've heard about this at least a couple of times before. My question is, if I don't have a computer or electricity, how come I'd have an e-mail list? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: Grab Date: 23 Mar 01 - 08:52 AM Taken from SatireWire, 23Mar2001... Grab. FOOT-AND-MOUTH BELIEVED TO BE FIRST VIRUS UNABLE TO SPREAD THROUGH MICROSOFT OUTLOOK Researchers Shocked to Finally Find Virus That Email App Doesn't Like Atlanta, Ga. (SatireWire.com) — Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Symantec's AntiVirus Research Center today confirmed that foot-and-mouth disease cannot be spread by Microsoft's Outlook email application, believed to be the first time the program has ever failed to propagate a major virus. "Frankly, we've never heard of a virus that couldn't spread through Microsoft Outlook, so our findings were, to say the least, unexpected," said Clive Sarnow, director of the CDC's infectious disease unit. The study was immediately hailed by British officials, who said it will save millions of pounds and thousands of man hours. "Up until now we have, quite naturally, assumed that both foot-and-mouth and mad cow were spread by Microsoft Outlook," said Nick Brown, Britain's Agriculture Minister. "By eliminating it, we can focus our resources elsewhere." However, researchers in the Netherlands, where foot-and-mouth has recently appeared, said they are not yet prepared to disqualify Outlook, which has been the progenitor of viruses such as "I Love You," "Bubbleboy," "Anna Kournikova," and "Naked Wife," to name but a few. Said Nils Overmars, director of the Molecular Virology Lab at Leiden University: "It's not that we don't trust the research, it's just that as scientists, we are trained to be skeptical of any finding that flies in the face of established truth. And this one flies in the face like a blind drunk sparrow." Executives at Microsoft, meanwhile, were equally skeptical, insisting that Outlook's patented Virus Transfer Protocol (VTP) has proven virtually pervious to any virus. The company, however, will issue a free VTP patch if it turns out the application is not vulnerable to foot-and-mouth. Such an admission would be embarrassing for the software giant, but Symantec virologist Ariel Kologne insisted that no one is more humiliated by the study than she is. "Only last week, I had a reporter ask if the foot-and-mouth virus spreads through Microsoft Outlook, and I told him, 'Doesn't everything?'" she recalled. "Who would've thought?" |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: guest(intruder-inactive) Date: 23 Mar 01 - 04:40 AM (clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop, BANG BANG clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: aussiebloke Date: 22 Mar 01 - 07:00 PM That's strange, I don't find the Amish Virus listed at the searchable encyclopaedia of real and hoax viruses at the Virus Research Centre. Must be a joke virus, that Amish one... cheers aussiebloke |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: mousethief Date: 22 Mar 01 - 06:30 PM Didn't we get this a couple of weeks ago? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Amish virus From: Liz the Squeak Date: 22 Mar 01 - 06:05 PM Ha ha.... one of the better ones..... LTS |
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Subject: Amish virus From: Luke Date: 22 Mar 01 - 06:29 AM You have just received the Amish virus. Since we have no computers or electricity. You are on the honor system. Send this to everyone on you email list and then delete all data on your hard drive. Thank Thee, Luke |