Hallmark Virus Hoax

You may receive an email from a well-meaning friend warning you about a catastrophic virus that comes with a title "Postcard from Hallmark". There is no such virus and you will not receive this email - only the hoax forwarded by your well meaning friend. Don't worry!

According to this emailed warning, a virus is currently being distributed that will destroy the hard drive on the infected computer and has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever. The message claims that opening an email attachment named "POSTCARD" or "POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK", will open a postcard image that will "burn" the entire hard disk on the infected computer and destroy the disk's "zero sector".

However, the claims in the warning message are untrue. As explained on the Hoax Slayer website, the warning is just a newer variant of older virus hoaxes that have circulated for several years. Unfortunately, this variant has gained completely undeserved credibility due to a number of factors that are explained in the article.

No real harm done if you send this but it’s not necessary. But see the http://antivirus.about.com/library/weekly/aa020102a.htm for discussion on this as well.

No need to worry!

Steve

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