This is one of the hoax mails in circulation for a long time.
Ref:http://www.hoax-slayer.com/postcard-virus-hoax.shtml
Postcard Image Virus HoaxOutline
Warning message claims that an email with an attachment entitled "POSTCARD" or
"POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK" will destroy the hard drive of the infected computer
and has been classified as the most destructive virus ever.
Detailed Analysis
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 later in
the
article, 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 the following factors:
* Since mid 2007, a series of malware emails that are disguised as
eCard
notification emails have been distributed. Some of these purport to be
apostcard
sent by a family member and include the word "postcard" in the subject line.
Recipients who click a link in these bogus emails can unknowingly install
malware on their computers. However, this malware is designed to steal
information and give hackers access to the infected computer and does not
destroy or damage the computer's hard disk. Since the goal of the criminals
responsible for distributing this malware is to hijack the infected computer
for
their own nefarious purposes, their intention is certainly not to make it
useless by destroying the hard disk.
Regrettably, because "postcard" is mentioned in both the real malware email and
the bogus warning, many recipients have mistakenly concluded that the
misinformation contained in the hoax email is genuine.
It is important to understand that the claims in the hoax email are in no way
related to the real malware threat. Other than the reference to a postcard, the
real malware threat and the fictional virus have nothing whatsoever in common.
* This version of the email includes a link to an article on urban
legend site,
Snopes.com that provides information about the genuine malware threat discussed
above.
Unfortunately, it seems that many recipients are clicking the link in the bogus
email and, after a cursory glance at the article, falsely concluding that the
information in the hoax email is factual. If they were to actually read the
Snopes article properly, they would very quickly realize that the information
in
the hoax message is totally unrelated to the genuine malware threat. In fact,
the article quite clearly states that readers should not confuse the genuine
threat with the old virus hoaxes.Because of these factors, this hoax variant is
spreading rapidly around the world and causing a great deal of confusion.
As the following example shows, this hoax email is just an altered version of
the Olympic Torch Invitation Virus Hoax that began circulating in 2006:
You should be alert during the next days: Do not open any message with an
attached filed called "Invitation" regardless of who sent it. It is a virus
that
opens an Olympic Torch 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, that is why you should 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", though sent by a friend, do not
>open
>it and 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. SEND
>THIS
>E-MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW, COPY THIS E-MAIL AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS AND
>REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF USS.V.SAI BABA
visit my Blog at :http://svsaibaba.blogspot.com
When one door of happiness closes, another opens;
But often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that
has
been opened for us.Helen Keller
________________________________
From: S Chander <[email protected]>
To: thatha patty <[email protected]>; thatha_patty
<[email protected]>
Sent: Thu, 7 April, 2011 10:43:31 PM
Subject: VIRUS COMING ! PLEASE READ & FORWARD
HUGE VIRUS COMING! PLEASE READ & FORWARD !
This has been checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this
virus! and also checked Snopes, and it is for real. Get this E-mail message
sent around to all your contacts ASAP.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!
You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an
attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,'regardless of who sent it to you.
It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the Whole hard disc C
drive of your computer.
This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her
contact list. That is the reason why you need to send this email 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 if it is 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.
COPY THIS E-MAIL, AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS.
REMEMBER: IF YOU SEND IT TO THEM, YOU WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US
--
With best wishes
S Chander
