Tech: Budweiser Frogs Virus (Hoax)

Subject: Tech: Budwiser Frogs Virus
From: JudeL
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 02:23 PM

Have just been warned that there is a vew virus going around

Someone is sending out a very cute screensaver of the Budweiser Frogs.
>
> If you download it, you will lose everything! Your hard drive will crash and someone from the Internet will get your screen name and password! DO
> NOT DOWNLOAD IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
> It just went into circulation yesterday. Please distribute this
> message.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 your address book so that this may be stopped. AOL has said that this is a very dangerous virus and that there is NO remedy for it at this time.
>
> This is VERY important. If you receive a screen saver from a friend or anyone you may not know with the Budweiser Frogs in it, DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT
> OR OPEN THE FILE!
>

Subject: RE: Tech: Budwiser Frogs Virus
From: Pene Azul
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 02:32 PM

It's a hoax. I have never seen an email message framed like this that was not a hoax. Avoid screensavers anyway. They're very bad for your computer's performance.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Tech: Budweiser Frogs Virus (Hoax)
From: MMario
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 02:41 PM

yup - the key words being "pass this along to EVERYONE"

Subject: RE: Tech: Budweiser Frogs Virus (Hoax)
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 02:53 PM

Sounds like it was written by a 12 year old. Shows how easy it is to start something like this going- send it to one person and they do the job for you!

It's always an idea to check such warnings with eg Norton: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html which provides info on current viruses and the amazing number of hoaxes doing the rounds (including this one).

Subject: RE: Tech: Budweiser Frogs Virus (Hoax)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 04:11 PM

Actually, though, it does teach a lesson: don't bulk-mail attachments of any sort to your friends. If you want to send text messages, that's one thing. Send attachments only when there's a real need to send an attachment. If you receive a bulk-mail attachment, delete it.
There's something about AOL that seems to lend itself to sending copies of e-mail as attachments. There's one dear woman from church who sends me stuff that way from her AOL account - sometimes an attached AOL e-mail inside an attached AOL e-mail inside an attached AOL e-mail. I had a talk with her, and now I get her attachments only on special occasions.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tech: Budweiser Frogs Virus (Hoax)
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 05:39 PM

.scr is just another executable file. The golden rule with 'em all is don't, or if you know the provenance wait and generally don't, or don't.

other ones to watch for are .pif (old Win3.1) .lnk (shortcuts). .com (cruel fate that one) .exe and .dll.

.drv and .vcx are suspect too. confused? You will be! so run Norton on 'em. Update Norton regularly . and ....

There is always the sucker punch when a virus is declared a hoax so they name one after the offending file about 6 months later, to catch us who "know" it is safe. Norton is the closest you get to safetly. That and waiting just a day or two.

Subject: RE: Tech: Budweiser Frogs Virus (Hoax)
From: mack/misophist
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 08:57 PM

There are viruses (virii?) that hide the file extension. Set Norton to scan your mail as it's delivered. And then be cautious.

Subject: RE: Tech: Budweiser Frogs Virus (Hoax)
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Mar 03 - 09:02 PM

For a look at what is real, take a look at CERT Warning at Ziff Davis.

Connecting to the internet without AntiVirus protection is a little like driving drunkenly. Sure - you're invulnerable, but think about the "friends" you might injure.

Norton has stopped more than a dozen Klez32 "bombs," all from the same faked address, over a period of more than 3 months. Some "friend" of mine has had - or is in the address book of someone who has had - this virus for that long without detecting and removing it. I wonder how many others this one irresponsible source has spread it to.

One problem with this particular "incident" is that all the associates who might otherwise be "suspects" do have and use current AV programs capable of detecting it.

Big sigh...

John