The following has been passed to me by our computer staff here:
[Re `Win a holiday...':]
I think that is likely to be part of the long-running hoax, however, you
may be interested to know that there is a real virus (it has been
reported in the papers):
You should watch out for any email containing a file attachment
called:
EXPLOREZIP
The virus is not activated by reading the email (unless your email
program
automatically runs any program sent to you as an attachment - in
which case
you should switch this feature off !). The virus starts to work if you try
to execute the attached program called ExploreZip. The contents of
the
email looks innocent and it may be sent to you by a friend (not on
purpose
- the virus uses peoples address book in Microsoft Outlook to
multiply and
infect other computers).
If you run this program: "ExploreZip creates a file of zero length and
then
names it the same as an existing Word, Excel, PowerPoint, C or C++
file,
essentially overwriting the original file." - i.e. it WILL delete all your
work
It is genuine, and not part of the long running hoax emails: "The FBI
has
issued an updated statement concerning the new ExploreZip
computer virus.
After warning that the virus has the potential to cause "significant
damage
to private sector and U.S. Government computer systems," the
statement
reaffirms the agency's intent to pursue Explore's creator."
More information is available at:
http://www.yahoo.co.uk/headlines/full_coverage/virusworm.html
Stuart
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