(12/12/2001) I received several pleas from people all over the world to help them stop some very irritating 'spam' they keep getting. Unfortunately, this letter is a little more serious than spam.
SAMPLE CHAIN LETTER TEXT
Today, Snowhite was turning 18. The 7 Dwarfs always where very educated and polite with Snowhite. When they go out work at mornign, they promissed a *huge* surprise. Snowhite was anxious. Suddlently, the door open, and the Seven Dwarfs enter..."
>ATTACHMENT - dwarf4you.exe<
END CHAIN LETTER TEXT
This note is neither spam nor a chain letter. It is a worm (similar to a computer virus) called 'Hybris.' Hybris can take several different forms and operates by monitoring an infected computer's internet activity and sending itself to every e-mail address it intercepts. If you've gotten this messages, it was likely coming from somebody you know who was infected or who visited a web site with your e-mail address on it.
If get one of the snow white messages, contact your friends and encourage each of them to scan their computers for infection and install antivirus software if they don't have it. If left unchecked, Hybris does get worse and can eventually interfere with your PCs performance.
Of course, it was only a matter of time before someone would catch on and start warning others of this far-reaching worm. Unfortunately, they've attached warning of this real worm to a previously circulating collage of hoaxes:
SAMPLE CHAIN LETTER TEXT
WARNING No.1 Do not open Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs, it is the Hybris virus which is a worm and will destroy all of your files and sends itself to everyone in your address book. It is being sent by HAHAHA@sexyfun.net and is sent as attachment, an executable file.
WARNING No. 2 If you receive any CELCOM Screen Saver, please do not install it! This screen saver is very cool. It shows a NOKIA hand phone, with time messages. After it is activated, the PC cannot boot up at all. It goes very slowly. It destroys your hard disk. The Filename is CELLSAVER.EXE
WARNING No. 3 Beware! If someone named SandMan asks you to check out his page. DO NOT! It is at http://www.geocities/ page hacks into your C:/drive. DO NOT GO THERE... FORWARD THIS MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.
WARNING No. 4 If you get a E-mail titled "Win A Holiday" DO NOT open it Delete it immediately. Microsoft just announced it Yesterday.It is a malicious virus that WILL ERASE YOUR HARD DRIVE.At this time there is no remedy.
Forward this to everyone IMMEDIATELY!! PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND PEOPLE IN YOUR MAILBOXES. AOL HAS SAID THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VIRUS AND THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR THIS YET. FORWARD IT TO ALL YOUR ON-LINE FRIENDS A.S.A.P !
END CHAIN LETTER TEXT
The Hybris warning exaggerates its effects and doesn't provide any useful information, such as how to remove it or protect yourself from infection. The other 3 warnings are all confirmed hoaxes (see the references below).
Relying on e-mail warning to protect you from viruses is like cutting your head off to prevent headaches... It sort of misses the point. If you have virus protection on your computer, update it regularly (at least weekly) - check with your software's manufacturer if you're not sure how to do this. If you don't have virus protection on your machine, get some! It's inexpensive and well worth it for the peace of mind it provides. There is no substitute. For more ways to protect your data from unwanted intrusions, read "Protecting Your PC" in the Chain-Breaker's Library. Take these protections and never forward another e-mailed virus warning. Break this chain!
(12/12/2001) I received several pleas from people all over the world to help them stop some very irritating 'spam' they keep getting. Unfortunately, this letter is a little more serious than spam.