14 DAY TRIAL // Bogus posts that warn users to beware of highly destructive viruses have been making the rounds for quite some time on social media websites. Hoax Slayer has identified two new variants that are currently circulating online.
The hoax messages inform internauts that a dangerous virus that destroys the “sector zero” of the hard disk is being spread via email, disguised as an attachment called “Archive (Windows Live)” or “ Windows Live Update.”
The posts say that even CNN has warned users about the nasty pieces of malware.
It’s true that cybercriminals have often leveraged the name of the Windows Live service to spread malware, but the hoaxes are highly inaccurate and only create unnecessary panic.
If you want to protect yourself against pieces of malware, make sure that an up-to-date antivirus software is always running in the background, keep all your applications updated, and refrain from clicking on links or attachments received in unsolicited emails.
However, spreading such scam messages will not do anyone any good.
Here is one variant of the scam identified by Hoax Slayer:
“URGENT NOTICE! PLEASE READ MY FRIENDS! ALERT POLICE AUTHORITIES:
At your computer and my, circulates this notice to your friends and family contacts! In the coming days be aware: do not open any message containing an attached file called ‘Windows Live Update’ regardless of who you send. It is a virus that burns the whole hard drive.
This virus comes from a known person who has your address list. This is why you should send this message to all your contacts.
If you receive a message with the attachment ‘Windows Live Update’, even if sent by a friend, do not open it and immediately turns off your computer. This is the worst virus announced by CNN, and has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever.
This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday. There is no possibility of repair for this type of virus. He simply destroys Sector Zero from the hard disk. Remember - you: if you send this information to your contacts, you will protect us all.”
Another variant reads:
“RED ALERT for YOUR COMPUTER circulate this notice to your friends, family and contacts! In the coming days, warning: do not open any message with an attachment called Archive (Windows live) regardless of who sends you.
This is a virus that burns the entire hard disk. This virus comes from a known person you have in your mailing list, which is why you should send this message to all your contacts. If you receive a message called: updating Windows live, even if it is sent by a friend, do not open the computer and stops immediately.
This is the worst virus announced by CNN. It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever existed. The virus was discovered yesterday afternoon by McAfee. and there is no chance of repair for this type of virus. simply destroys Sector Zero of the hard disk. Just copy and paste..got this from a friend”