Graham Roberts Home Computer Services

Reputable & reliable computer repairs and servicing for Barlborough, Clowne, Bolsover & surrounding villages.

22^nd December 2010  

“Chain Letter” Hoax Email Virus Warnings.

I get numerous emails every month from concerned customers informing me that they’ve received a warning by email of some impending catastrophic virus infection if you open this or that email and most of them are hoaxes. They are often seasonally driven and in various formats, but the one thing you nearly always find, is that they have been sent to scores of other people that you’ve never heard of all told to “pass it on”. They are basically like a good old fashioned chain letters, warning people of impending doom if they don’t follow its instructions.

They often target seasonal business, for instance at present, Hallmark Cards, but their main purpose is to clog up the internet and email servers and bring them to a standstill at the busiest times. Some tend to come around year after year at the same time. Hoax virus warning messages are more than a nuisance; computer users may get into the habit of ignoring all virus warning messages, leaving them susceptible a genuine virus.

So how can you find out if the threat is real? Well fortunately there are several websites that will tell you whether or not a warning email is real but I use Hoax Slayer or About.com, please click on hyperlinks to visit the Websites.

All you need to do it type in the exact key words from the email in the website's search box, or copy and paste the opening text and it will tell you if it is a hoax or not. Very often, you’ll find that it comes up as a hoax almost word for word the same as in your email, and if it does, please don’t forward the email, delete it and stop the “chain” cycle there and then.

Remember:

       Never to let your guard down, what is today a hoax could become a genuine virus threat next time around.

 Never open an email attachment unless you know 100% what it is, even if it comes from someone you know.

 Be wary of all unknown emails or new websites.

 Keep your internet security software fully up to date and functional.

If you’re not sure about the validity of an email or you hear about a new threat and can't find out more yourself, please email me the details, (please do not forward a suspect email), and I will do my best to help and find out more for you.

Also, please regularly check out the latest security warning and advice near the top of every page marked . To be sure to get the latest information as I post it, I recommend that you make Home Computer Services your homepage.

You can view earlier warnings and advice on our website here: Latest, or more general help and support here: Help & Support.

Several of my customers, new and existing have been caught out during the past year by internet scams and viruses and it's getting worse as more criminals infest the internet. By working closely together and sharing information,, we can all help reduce these instances.

If you feel that any family or friends would benefit from this information or our website wherever they live home or abroad, please email this link to them. http://sittas.com/hoax_emails.htm