Dear Sir or Miss,

 

I have received your virus hoax and would cordially invite you to forward this email to 25 of your friends.

 

Your hoax has been registered on the McAfee Virus Information Library for all to be warned. By creating this hoax, you have done a great disservice to the Internet and its users. These seemingly “harmless” attempts to strike fear into unsuspecting users often foster an ignorance of legit virus threats, making the public even more susceptible to computer virus infection.

 

Please considerer the following alternative uses of brainpower the next time you feel like creating an email virus hoax:

 

  1. Read a book instead. Reading can help expand your vocabulary, hone your creativity, and improve your prose. It is also more intellectually stimulating than playing pranks on people.
  2. Go for a walk in the park. Appreciate the kind people around you, walking their dog or playing with their children. Recognize the good people you are doing the disservice to.
  3. Use your knowledge for the benefit of others. If you are as computer savvy as you let on, then use your knowledge as a way of educating others of the true threat of computer viruses and what methods users can take to protect themselves. Maybe your article will be published in a professional journal or you will receive letters of gratitude from people you helped protect. You will find these rewards are much more fulfilling than taking merriment in the harm or humility of others.

 

Again, after reading this letter, please forward it to at least 25 of your closest friends. It won’t save your life or bring you any good luck, but it could earn you the respect of your peers.

 

Sincerely,

 

The user you hoaxed.

Matthew C. Winner

June 18, 2006

Viruses

 

Mr. Winner’s 4th grade guide to:

 

What are Computer Viruses?

 

 

What is a computer virus?

 

A computer virus is a manmade program that causes something unexpected, and usually negative, to happen to your computer. Viruses attach themselves to real computer programs so that whenever a user opens the program, he or she opens the virus, too. Viruses can spread by attaching to other programs, such as moving from a spreadsheet to a saved file, and they are often very hard to catch and remove. Sometimes viruses are disguised as games or images and emailed using subject lines that get your attention, such as “Free PS2 video games!!!” or “You and your family have won a trip to Florida!!!!” But when a user opens the email, the virus is welcomed onto their computer to wreck havoc. Some viruses prevent you from opening up certain programs on your computer, others wipe out files on your computer all together. Never underestimate the danger a virus can be to your computer.

 

How can I avoid viruses?

 

You can avoid viruses by using a virus protection program such as McAfee (http://vil.mcafee.com). These programs scan your computer regularly for viruses and can notify you if an email or attachment is corrupt. Most computers come with built-in virus protection programs, but there are also many safe, reliable virus protection programs available online for free.

 

Another way to avoid viruses is to make sure you know what attachment is being set to you before opening or downloading anything. If you’re friend sent you an photo, even if you’re great friends with the person and know he or she would never intentionally infect your computer with a virus, check with them to find out what they sent before opening it. If the file is not safe, it’s best you don’t open.

 

And as a basic rule, never open an attachment on an email if the email is from someone you do not know. It’s always better to play it safe than be sorry later.

 

Why worry about email virus hoaxes?

 

Some people email virus hoaxes, or jokes, as a means of getting attention or playing pranks on people. Though seemingly harmless, an email virus hoax can be dangerous, too.

 

Many email virus hoaxes are in the form of a warning, such as, “If you receive an email titled ‘I love dinosaurs!!!’, delete it immediately. This is a virus that, when opened, will destroy you C: Drive”.

 

The user often closes these emails with something like, “forward this email to 25 friends so their computers can be safe, too.”

 

What user is trying to do is see if his or her email can be sent to as many people as possible. Unfortunately, the effect of this action is that many people don’t take virus threats seriously. Should a virus get onto your computer, it could cause serious trouble. Though these emails appear to mean well, they end up causing more harm than fun.

 

To make matters worse, some people even take the same hoax emails and attach a virus to them. Now, whenever a user opens up the email to read about a virus warning, an actual virus accesses their computer.

 

Again, if you receive an email and do not recognize the sender, it is best for you to play it safe and delete the email without opening it. It could save your computer from being infected with a virus!