The POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK virus alert is a HOAX
10-Jan-2010
I just received an emergency email warning of a new deadly computer virus called POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK.
But… from what I turned up in one minute with Google, IT IS A HOAX.
The email I received is copied below. Whether Ian del Carmen actually sent it, I dont know. Could be a fraudulent misuse of his name and email (that’s called spoofing, I believe).
Either way, if you do a Google search you can quickly see that this same wording was doing the rounds as long ago as 26 Feb 2008. That’s nearly 2 years ago.
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While writing this post, another marketer has fallen for it and blasted out a copy of the same Ian del Carmen email that I received. I’m on his list too — that’s how I know.
How many more will fall for this?
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Thought for the day: Before passing on well-intentioned alerts to your friends or subscribers, do a search for some of the key words in the message. It can save you having to scrape egg off your face later.
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Here is the email:
HUGE VIRUS COMING! PLEASE READ FORWARD!
Hi All!
I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus!
I checked Snopes, and it is for real. Get this E-mail message sent around to
all your contacts ASAP.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!
You should be alerted during the next few days. Do not open any message with
an attachment entitled ‘POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,’ regardless of who sent it
to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which ‘burns’ the whole
hard disc C drive of your computer.
This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address on
his/her contact list. That is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to
all your contacts. It is better to receive this message 25 times than to
receive the virus and open it!
If you receive an email called’ POSTCARD,’ even if it is sent to you by a friend, do not open it!
Shut down your computer immediately. This is the worst virus announced by CNN.
It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered
by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the
Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.
Sincerely,
Ian del Carmen
CEO, Fireball Group
http://FireballOnline.com
OH man. Thanks for the head’s up! We really have to be sooooo careful nowadays, and people spreading the word about viruses that they know about is one of the best ways of protecting us all. Thanks so much for the head’s up.
I received that email too. And start searching in the internet right away and found this website. Thanks for the alert. Also, cool blog!
Baltatu@Forex Robot´s last blog ..USDBOT Teaser #1. New promising FX Robot.
Yes, many people fall victims to similar messages. Best to always check out these stories and be in the safe.
OMG! Thank you for the warning. So far, i haven’t received such mail. I just don’t get it why people are fooling other people. They must be really really bored with their lives huh?
Sallie Holiday´s last blog ..Holiday Cottage in Cornwall
I wish they would find the creators of these hoaxes and scams and lock them up! Everyday I get all kinds of junk in my mailbox. It seems every leader and minister in the world wants to transfer money to my bank account.
Yes These things can be a real pain!
It makes you wander the lengths that people will go to..
Thanks again for the heads up!
kaled@howcanimakemoneyfromhome´s last blog ..At Home Ways To Make money