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Source: http://www.cyblings.on.ca/projects/virus.txt

Please DO NOT FORWARD VIRUS ALERTS BY EMAIL!

1. The alert itself could be a hoax or contain the virus.
2. If your software is vulnerable, it is probably too late 
   by the time you hear about it in email.
3. They annoy people whose software is not vulnerable.


So, what should you do when you get an email about a virus?

1. Check for something like this text:
   "Forward this to as many people as you can."
   If present, delete the email, don't forward it.
   No one who respects other people's time says such things, 
   especially not anyone competent in virus control.
2. Call or speak in person to your computer support person.
3. Avoid using Microsoft Outlook or its variants.
4. Do not open any email attachments unless you can positively 
   attest that they have been checked.


However, if you feel it's urgent, important and really want to help:

5. Do some research first.  Never forward an email alert 
   that doesn't contain a URL (website address) pointing to a 
   well-known virus warning center with information documenting 
   the specific virus.  
   i) Check for a bogus alert using a service such as these:
      CIAC HoaxBusters (a U.S. Government service)
        http://HoaxBusters.ciac.org/
      Symantec Virus Hoax database
        http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html 
   ii) If the virus isn't a hoax, find specific documentation 
      on it at an antivirus research centre such as one of these:
        F-Secure virus information centre:
          http://www.datafellows.fi/virus-info/
        McAfee virus information library:
          http://vil.mcafee.com/default.asp?
   iii) Paste the URL (web page address) found in step ii 
      into the message to be forwarded.  
   iv) To make it more likely recipients will actually read the message, 
      you might also:
      - ensure it has an informative Subject line;
      - remove extraneous ">" characters at the beginnings of lines;
      - remove all the email addresses on the forwarding chain.


Of course, please do discuss the above tips 
with your computer support person!

--
Krishna E. Bera
Computer Consultant, Cybling Systems
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
keb@cyblings.on.ca

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