Forwarded email warns of 'the most destructive ever' computer virus circulating as an attachment to messages entitled 'Black in the White House' or 'Black Muslim in the White House.'
Description: Virus hoax
Circulating since: Dec. 2009
Status: False
Example #1:
Email contributed by Kenneth D., Jan. 5, 2010:
Subject: FW: URGENT!
PLEASE CIRCULATE to your friends, family and contacts.
In the coming days, Do not open any message with an attachment called: Black in the White House,
Regardless of who sent you ... It is a virus that opens an Olympic torch that burns the whole hard disk C of your computer. This virus comes from a known person who you had in your list Directions. . That's why you should send this message to all your contacts.
It is better to receive this email 25 times to receive the virus and open .. If you receive a message called: black in the white house, even sent by a friend, do not open and shut down your machine immediately. It is the worst virus announced by CNN. A new virus has been discovered recently it has been classified by Microsoft as the virus most destructive ever. This virus was discovered yesterday afternoon by Mc Afee. And there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the hard disk, where information vital function is stored.
Example #2:
Email contributed by Sam N., Oct. 30, 2010:
URGENT PLEASE CIRCULATE to your friends, family and contacts.
In the coming days, DO NOT open any message with an attachment called: BLACK MUSLIM IN THE WHITE HOUSE, regardless of who sent it to you. It is a virus that opens an Olympics torch that burns the whole hard disk C of your computer. This virus comes from a known person who you have in your list.
Directions: You should send this message to all of your contacts. It is better to receive this e-mail 25 times than to receive the virus and open it. If you receive a message called BLACK MUSLIM IN THE WHITE HOUSE even if sent by a friend, do not open, and shut down your machine immediately. It is the worst virus announced by CNN. This new virus has been discovered recently it has been classified by Microsoft as the virus most destructive ever.
This virus was discovered yesterday afternoon by McAfee.. There is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the hard disk, where vital information function
Analysis: False. No such computer virus exists. These warnings are variants of a virus hoax that has circulated in many forms over the past decade or so. Previous versions include:
• 'A Virtual Card for You' Virus
• 'Invitation' Virus
• 'Merry Christmas' Virus
• 'Hallmark Postcard' Virus
All hoaxes. Generally speaking, following the advice of forwarded emails is an ineffective (if not downright counter-productive) way of maintaining network security. Protecting yourself from real virus and Trojan threats entails a few simple but critically important measures. Follow them religiously:
- Always be very careful opening email attachments and downloading files. If you can't be reasonably sure the source is trustworthy and the files are safe, don't open or download them.
- Maintain up-to-date antivirus software on your computer, configure it to detect trojan horses and other malware automatically, and scan for viruses and other threats regularly.
- Always be careful about clicking on outgoing links, especially in messages from anonymous or unfamiliar sources. Clicking on such links can instantly download malicious software to your computer. Again, if you can't be reasonably sure the source is trustworthy and the link is safe, don't click on it.
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Last updated 09/23/11
