I just got an e-mail from a friend telling me to be very cautious about openning any e-mail relating to 9/11 or WTC (World Trade Center). A reliable source told her that there's an e-mail entitled WTC Survivor that contains a virus that will wipe out your entire C drive, and that you should delete this e-mail right away if you get it. So just be cautious if an e-mail like this comes your way (even if it's from a familiar source).

While it's always a good idea to practice "safe surfing" and be cautious of email from people you don't know, and especially cautious of email attachments, even from people you do know...this particular "WTC Survivor" email virus is just a hoax (http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/wtc.survivor.hoax.html).

I just got an e-mail from a friend telling me to be very cautious about openning any e-mail relating to 9/11 or WTC (World Trade Center). A reliable source told her that there's an e-mail entitled WTC Survivor that contains a virus that will wipe out your entire C drive, and that you should delete this e-mail right away if you get it. So just be cautious if an e-mail like this comes your way (even if it's from a familiar source).
Here is a really good rule of thumb to follow if you spend time online: Before you believe any warning about killers, deaths, computer viruses, crimes, campaigns, etc. etc. that you get from someone's email, PLEASE go to Snopes (http://www.snopes.com). If it's listed there, it ain't true! And believe me, there are A LOT of myths and urban legends out there!

While it's always a good idea to practice "safe surfing" and be cautious of email from people you don't know, and especially cautious of email attachments, even from people you do know...this particular "WTC Survivor" email virus is just a hoax (http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/wtc.survivor.hoax.html).

:eek:

Wow, that example e-mail on Symantec was word for word what I got.

Thanks for the info, Bill.

It's also extremely rare to be able to get a virus simply from opening up an email. Most harmful viruses are activated through attachments. Don't open those up unless you know what it is, and even then you should be cautions.