New dangerous computer virus alert !!! (2008)

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message! With an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD,' regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list. This is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.

If you receive a mail called 'POSTCARD', even though sent to you by a friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately.

This is the worst virus announced by CNN. It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

You really can get a virus from a fake e-mail card or a bad link, but it's a little more complicated. From Snopes....

snopes.com: 'Postcard from a Family Member' virus

[janapur Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close janapur]

Thanks for the heads up. I had an email with the word postcard in it yesterday in my junk mail. I can't remember the exact wording, but I didn't open it thank goodness.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Doing like I do, I googled that 'Postcard virus' and got the following:

'POSTCARD' Virus Hoax
Netlore Archive: False email alert warns of 'the worst virus ever' circulating in the form of an attachment labeled 'POSTCARD'
Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: Feb. 2008 (this version)
Status: False

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some versions of this hoax claim the information was "verified" on Snopes.com. This is NOT true. What has been verified on Snopes.com is a different e-card virus threat with a similar name. It is important not to confuse the two.

Additional research has found there is a postcard virus, but it is not new and the risk is low. Aways keep your computer protected.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Compare the warning in Tony's message with the direct excerpt below of the text of the Invitation virus hoax (from the Snopes link in wackymother's post):

Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts ASAP. PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS! You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an attachment entitled 'Invitation' OR ONE CALLED 'POSTCARD,' Regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus which opens an Olympic Torch OR A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone Who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list. This is the reason why you need to send this e-mail to all your contacts. It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.

If you receive a mail called 'Invitation' even though sent to you by a friend, do not open it. Shut down your computer immediately. This is the worst virus announced by CNN. It has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for This kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept.

[Joe L Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe L]

Wow you guys are fast. I checked Snopes, then E-Mailed the info to friends. I come back here to give the Snopes link and everyone has it already.

[manu123 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close manu123]

it's wird

and horrible too. I have had no problem like this and I guess I'm not the only one. Maybe I have a good antivirus or I had simply lucky, I don't know. If it's lucky, thanks God, but if it's becouse of the antivirus I use, maybe this is gonna help you

[riha15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close riha15]

antivirus

Hello guys!
Could you tell me what security software do you use? I want to install a high quality one, but don't know what to use. I found some on the internet, but still, don't know what to choose. Could you lend me a hand?

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

AVG and it's free- unless you want the pay version.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Okay, is there a virus or not? I can't tell if it's a hoax or not.

I just got a postcard from Tony and it was only a picture of tonyg wearing a tutu. Nothing out of the norm.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I have used various anti-virus software over the years. When one of mine expired a few months ago, I did extensive research and purchased Norton Internet Security 2010. It is the top rated by several rating sites including Consumer Reports. I used to use BitDefender but it got much worse and Norton got a lot better. Norton fixed all of the issues they had previously.

I purchased Norton Internet Security on-line from Trinity Software for a total costs of $16.00. They also have other software.

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

Yes this particular POSTCARD warning is a hoax. However everyone should be cautious about opening attachments from emails, and use a good anti-virus program. I use Clamware which is free.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

This topic is over two years old and since it is I.T. related it is just about obsolete.
Boca, you will be ok if you just keep all postcards at least 3 feet from the computer.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

This topic had been inactive for over 2 years until 2 total newbies added to it.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Okay, is there a virus or not? I can't tell if it's a hoax or not.

I just got a postcard from Tony and it was only a picture of tonyg wearing a tutu. Nothing out of the norm.

This topic is over two years old and since it is I.T. related it is just about obsolete.
Boca, you will be ok if you just keep all postcards at least 3 feet from the computer.

Jim -

I'll send you a French postcard. You can hold it anywhere you like. You can even lick it if you want.