----- Original Message -----
From: <Tdmac349(a)aol.com>
To: <Zaro999(a)aol.com>; <bcastle(a)ptialaska.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 2:58 PM
Subject: Virus
This was on the internet thought you should know.
SULFNBK: Virus or hoax... or both?
Sophos has received a large number of calls from users concerned
about a
virus known as SULFNBK or SULFNBK.EXE.
There is a warning message being distributed around the net (in
various
languages) telling users to search their hard drives for a file
called
SULFNBK.EXE. If they find it - the warning tells them - delete it
because it
is infected by a virus which may trigger on June 1st (other versions
say the
25th of May).
Sophos advises users to treat the warning with scepticism.
Many computers do have a legitimate uninfected version of
SULFNBK.EXE on them
because it is a program which comes with Windows 95/98 to backup and
restore
long filenames. Deleting the file may in fact cause your computer
system
serious problems.
The confusion is compounded, however, by the W32/Magistr-A virus
which is
capable of emailing infected copies of SULFNBK.EXE to innocent
users. This is
probably how the scare started.
Sophos offers users confused by the hoax warning and the virus, the
following
advice:
If you receive an unsolicited executable file in your email (such as
SULFNBK.EXE), simply delete the email. You should never launch or
open
unsolicited executable code on your computer.
Existence of a file called SULFNBK.EXE on your hard drive is not
evidence in
itself of a virus infection. The best way to check for a virus
infection is
with anti-virus software.
Run a quality anti-virus product and keep it updated to protect
against the
latest threats.
Do not pass on virus warnings to all of your friends. Instead, check
the
facts at an anti-virus website, or forward the warning to the person
in your
company who is responsible for virus protection so they can decide
if it is
valid.
See also:
Read more about the SULFNBK virus hoax
Read more about the W32/Magistr-A virus