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A hoax is another threat to computer users. One type actually relies on
the user to inflict damage on their own computer, so is not a real computer virus.
What is Phishing?
"Phishing attacks use 'spoofed' e-mails and fraudulent websites designed to fool
recipients into divulging personal financial data such as credit card numbers,
account usernames and passwords, social security numbers, etc. By hijacking the
trusted brands of well-known banks, online retailers and credit card companies,
phishers are able to convince up to 5% of recipients to respond to them."
Check out the site where the big
players are trying to combat this menace to the web.
It pays to be suspicious!
Other phishing ploys
 | "This is your bank. You need to check your account as there has been some
suspicious activity". |
| "You have been identified as a winner in a national lottery". |
| "My family (you will have heard about them in the news) have millions of
pounds stuck in account and we need your help to access the funds". |
| "I made million working form home, and this is how I did it". |
| "This is not a pyramid selling scheme". |
| "This is a miracle cure". |
| "Imagine yourself relaxing by the sea, sitting in the villa you now own". |
| "Buy these shares, now but be quick". |
| "I know you and can predict your fate". |
In all of these cases, just roll your cursor over the link. Most browsers
will display the link. Does it look like a URL (address) you recognise?
Remember, what you see on the screen is not the same as the links behind the
text. The link on screen may look just like your banks logo but behind that you
could be a link to a computer that is waiting to log your PIN and account
details.
Below is a 'popular' hoax which has been around for a number of years. It
seems to be recycled after each major web virus.
To everyone
in my address book. I just found out I received a virus that automatically
is passed through e-mail address books. I found it in my C:drive.
Since you are in my address book, you will probably find it in your computer
too.
The virus called jdbe.exe is not detected by Norton or McAfee anti-virus
systems. The virus sits quietly for 14 days before damaging the system. It
is sent automatically by "messenger" and by address book whether or not you
sent e-mail to your contacts. Here is how to check for the virus and how to
get rid of it.
PLEASE DO THIS ASAP
Go to Start, then click your "find" or "search" option.
In the folder option, type the name jdbgm
Be sure to search your C Drive (this is where I found it) and all the sub
folders and other drives you may have
Click "find now"
The virus has a teddy bear icon! With the name jdbgmgr.exe. DO NOT OPEN IT
Go to Edit (on the menu bar) and choose "select all" to highlight the file
without opening it.
Now go to the File (on the menu bar) and select delete. The virus will then
go to the recycle bin.
If you find the virus, you must contact all the people in your address book
so that they may eradicate the virus from their own address books.
To do this:-
Open a new e-mail message
Click the icon address book (contacts) next to "To"
Highlight every name and add to "BCC"
Copy this message and paste to e-mail |
This is a hoax
Do not follow the instructions
It can be hard to spot a hoax
Make sure it is from someone you know and trust
Visit one of the virus checking sites
Never delete a file ending in exe
Be suspicious
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The second hoax is generated by the 'netsky' virus. It want to provoke you
to infect your computer.
| You have visited illegal websites.
I have a big list of the websites you surfed. |
This claims to come from a US Government
agency.
It comes with an attachment designed to infect your computer when
opened. |
The email subject of the 'netsky' virus is intended to make people react and
say 'I
never did!' and provoke then to indignantly open the infected email to find out what they 'did'.
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