Urban Legends
Tuesday, 11. March 2008, 15:12:41
Every once in a while, you get an URGENT e-mail from one of your friends. It has probably happened to everyone who has had e-mail for a number of years. The notice is to IMMEDIATELY forward the message and warn everyone in your address list of some impending viral doom or someone who is lost or whatever. It even went so far recently that someone I didn't even know sent me the same hoax as a friend did days earlier. Here was my reply to this person:
Hello __________,
I do not know how you received my e-mail. In regards to this ‘virus warning’, I will include a link to UrbanLegends.com and inform you in the same manner as another person who sent me this recently.
First: Please bookmark http://urbanlegends.about.com and look up these things before sending anything off in a panic. Give yourself a day to settle down and do some research. This particular one is found at http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_postcard_virus.htm . Even if you go to the Snopes site (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp ), it still lists this as a hoax, BUT there is one which is similar. The wording of the e-mail and attachment are different and, therefore, I would take it seriously.
Second: forwarding e-mails with everyone’s name and address visible is irresponsible. It’s the easiest way for e-mails to be harvested for spamming purposes. If you must send to a large group, put the addresses in the BCC box and delete any that are in the message.
Third: if there really was a serious virus, you would be hearing about it on the news. The internet works so fast that if there was anything of the nature you described, it would have gone around the globe in less than 24 hours. It happened in 2000 with one called “LoveMe”. Take a look at this clip from CBC http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-75-2202-13284-10/on_this_day/science_technology/twt .
The most dangerous thing about receiving these sort of things over the years is gullibility and naivety. I care for my friends very much and don’t send their information around needlessly. Have a great day!
With sincere regards,
Henry
Hello __________,
I do not know how you received my e-mail. In regards to this ‘virus warning’, I will include a link to UrbanLegends.com and inform you in the same manner as another person who sent me this recently.
First: Please bookmark http://urbanlegends.about.com and look up these things before sending anything off in a panic. Give yourself a day to settle down and do some research. This particular one is found at http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_postcard_virus.htm . Even if you go to the Snopes site (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp ), it still lists this as a hoax, BUT there is one which is similar. The wording of the e-mail and attachment are different and, therefore, I would take it seriously.
Second: forwarding e-mails with everyone’s name and address visible is irresponsible. It’s the easiest way for e-mails to be harvested for spamming purposes. If you must send to a large group, put the addresses in the BCC box and delete any that are in the message.
Third: if there really was a serious virus, you would be hearing about it on the news. The internet works so fast that if there was anything of the nature you described, it would have gone around the globe in less than 24 hours. It happened in 2000 with one called “LoveMe”. Take a look at this clip from CBC http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-75-2202-13284-10/on_this_day/science_technology/twt .
The most dangerous thing about receiving these sort of things over the years is gullibility and naivety. I care for my friends very much and don’t send their information around needlessly. Have a great day!
With sincere regards,
Henry
WIDGETIZE
Lorenzo Celsi # 11. March 2008, 16:28
Lois # 11. March 2008, 19:04
Henry # 12. March 2008, 04:28