Subject: Virus alert (fwd)
Forwarded from somewhere else.

Anyone who receives this must send it to as many people as you can.
A request to spread it further.

It is essential that this problem be reconciled as soon as possible. A few hours ago, I opened an E-mail that had the subject heading of AOL4FREE.COM.
Notice that it doesn't give a firm date. Just "a few hours ago". This means the hoax won't expire.

Within seconds of opening it, a window appeared and began to display my files that were being deleted. I immediately shut down my computer, but it was too late. This virus wiped me out. It ate the Anti-Virus Software that comes with the Windows '95 Program along with F-Prot AVS. Neither was able to detect it.
Claims that there is no cure. Also, there is no antivirus software that comes with Windows 95.

Please be careful and send this to as many people as possible, so maybe this new virus can be eliminated.
A request to spread the hoax further.

DON'T OPEN E-MAIL NOTING AOL4FREE Be aware that there are letters going around that you have won free AOL until 1998....or AOL4free...... PLEASE DELETE...... it contains a virus that will wipe out your harddrive after you download and it executes.
SUBJECT AREA OF EMAIL....... CONGRATULATIONS! You are a WINNER!
SUBJECT AREA OF EMAIL.......AOL 4 Free - Get AOL For Free
Contradicts itself: Above it said the subject was AOL4FREE.COM. Here it gives two different subjects.

WARN YOUR FRIENDS
A request to spread it further.

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. NO
6. Claims you get it from reading email. YES
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

Hoax Page
Virus Page