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Fake virus?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 2:59 am
by Rob-hin
Hi everybody,
I've heard some rumors about a file beiing a virus and that Norton doesn't detect it. This is the mail I got about it:
Subject: VIRUS! THIS IS FOR REAL! READ IT!
Date: Sun, 12 May 2002 23:29:31 -0400
I apologize for this, someone else sent it to me and
here we are. I am sorry for any inconvenience!
I just found out that I received a virus from someone
that has my name in their email address book. As a
result, my address book, on which I have your email
address, has also been infected by a virus called
jdbgmgr.exe.
The virus is not detected by Norton or McAfee
antivirus system. The virus stays quiet for 14 days
before damaging the system. It is sent automatically
by the messenger and by the address book, whether or
not I have sent emails directly to you. I have found
and deleted it. Now it is your turn.
1. Go to start and click
2. Go to Find or Search option
3. In the files/folder option, write the name
jdbgmgr.exe
4. Be sure you search in your C: drive
5. Click "find now"
6. The virus has a little bear icon with the name
jdbgmgr.exe. DO NOT OPEN IT!
7. Highlight the file
8. Press the shift key and the delete key and the
file will be removed from your hard drive.
9. If you find the virus, you must contact all the
people in your address book so they can eradicate it
in their own address books.
Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience! I think
people that write virus programs should have to face
corporal punishment!!
Thanks for your time,
Ben Byxbe
The file is called jdbgmgr.exe with a little gray bear icon and I have it on my HD, but as I recall it's been there for ever.
Do you think it's a real virus or just a fake?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 4:24 am
by Mr Flibble
It's a hoax.
This is the info from Symantec about it. I had a customer ring me about this today.
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 4:46 am
by Mr Sleep
I get really tired of these, whenever it asks you to manually delete a file it is a hoax. I can't think of any example to contradict that statement @Mr Flibble can you correct me?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 6:23 am
by HighLordDave
Why would someone start something like this. According to the Symantec statement provided by our friend Mr Flibble, this file is not a critical system file, so the originator of this hoax isn't trying to do any sorts of major damage to computers worldwide. Is s/he just trying to see how many people will do it? Will disabling Java applets stop certain sites (like the site of a former employer) from loading on people's machines and this is his/her way of getting back? Is it just a joyride?
This sort of thing perplexes me.
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 10:31 am
by Ned Flanders
There was a joke a while back (certain aol release) where some computer savvy gent sabotaged several uneducated aol computer users. One of the releases of aol software had multiple bugs. This guy built a phony solution page and were having people delete their aol.exe file or something along those lines. He got a kick over how many people followed his instructions.
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 10:43 am
by Rob-hin
Thanx everyone,
I had a fealing it was fake!
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 1:22 pm
by Mr Flibble
I've never heard of a virus sitting idly in someones system infecting only one file and just waiting to do damage. Even Michelangelo showed it's presence before it was set to strike. What really annoys me about these hoaxes is just how gullible most people are. I literally recieved hundreds of phone calls over the sulfnbk.exe hoax, and in most cases the user had already deleted the file.
Another good way to identify a hoax virus warning is by who the message came from. There are a lot of false warnings floating around that Microsoft, C-Net, IBM or some other major software company is warning users about, but most people don't realise that these companies have nothing to do with antivirus software. If it's not from Symantec, Trend Micro, McAfee, CAI or NAI I tend to ignore warnings like this.
I'd also say Ned and HLD are right about why this sort of thing happens. It's most likely someone trying to cause panic and public hysteria for a laugh and to see how many people fall for it. IMO it's the same sort of thing as a fake bomb threat.
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 3:06 pm
by Nightmare
I got this a while ago, didn't have it on my system. Found out that was because its a Win 95/98/ME utility.
Posted: Tue May 14, 2002 3:27 pm
by Mr Sleep
Originally posted by Mr Flibble
I've never heard of a virus sitting idly in someones system infecting only one file and just waiting to do damage.
That is what i thought
There are a lot of false warnings floating around that Microsoft
The most interesting one i recieved was one from Microsoft saying that it was an security update to windows exactly like one gets from their site, right down to the name q12543 or something, turned out to be a virus....how many users would open that?