The Hoax

Newsgroups: news.newusers.questions,alt.aol-sucks,rec.humor,comp.graphics
Posted to newsgroups that have nothing to do with viruses.

I have just recieved a message from the FCC concerning a new virus found on AOL.
Reference to an organization that has nothing to do with viruses. Received is spelled wrong.

The virus is spreading from the porno trading rooms on AOL, and WAREZ, etc. The virus is a new type, a self replicating trojan virus.
There is no such thing as a trojan virus.

The coding is so complex, they are unable to de-compile it.
No program can be decompiled. A decompiler does not exist.

The virus has various names, but all of the are .COM. Once you run it, it will fake an installation menu to fake you out. As the progress graph goes by, that is infact the progress of your disk-drive contents erasing!
Extremely bad grammar.

If you attempt to quit the process, it will then still erase in the background. To make matters worse, it will replace the important system files by using a special encrypting method of the n9x method.
No such thing as an n9x method. Contradicts itself: It says it erases your system files, then it says it encrypts them, then it says windows can still restart.

Once windows restarts, it will crash your hardware by sending out surges of electricty and melting it all. Not even a surge protecter could stop that. Once the virus/trojan has finished what it did, your computer will become useless.
It claims that hardware can be damaged by the virus, which is impossible. Electricity is spelled wrong. Protector is spelled wrong.

You should just throw it away and get a new one. That is all. I am warning you all. Becareful of what you download! Good night folks. And, please foward this to all news groups as you can, and mass email this to all your friends, coworkers, and loved ones. It could be you that saved their investment!
Request to pass it on further. Forward is spelled wrong.

Summary

  1. Posted to newsgroup(s) that have nothing to do with viruses. YES
  2. Multiple exclamation marks. NO
  3. Forwarded from somewhere else. YES
  4. A request to spread the warning further. YES
  5. Reference to the FCC or other place that has nothing to do with viruses. YES
  6. Claims you get it from reading email. NO
  7. Claims that it is undetectable or that there is no cure. YES
  8. Overly technical details that don't make sense. YES
  9. Spelling and grammar mistakes. YES
  10. Being self-contradictory. YES
This message displays 8 out of the 10 warning signs. Definitely a hoax.

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