Virtual card virus - real or hoax?

[Byff]

I can't find anything relating to this on the symantec or McAfee websites, virus or hoax?

Another forum said:

A new virus has just been discovered that has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive ever. This virus was discovered yesterday afternoon by McAfee and no vaccine has yet been developed. This virus simply destroys Sector Zero from the hard disk, where vital information for its functioning are stored. This virus acts in the following manner: It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your list with the title: "A Card for You". As soon as the supposed virtual card is opened the computer freezes so that the user has to reboot. When the ctrl+alt+del keys or the reset button are pressed, the virus destroys Sector Zero, thus permanently destroying the hard disk. Yesterday in just a few hours this virus caused panic in New York, according to news broadcast by CNN. This alert was received by an employee of Microsoft itself. So don't open any mails with subject: "A Virtual Card for You." As soon as you get the mail, delete it!! Even if you know the sender !!!

[JonRB]

This is a real oldie. See here.

Edit: You can't have searched Symantec very hard. I went to www.symantec.com, typed "virtual card" into the search box, hit "search" and got a list of links including this one.

>> Edited by JonRB on Thursday 20th January 15:00

[arcturus]

Likewise, loads of gen on McAfee's site here

[chim_knee]

Byff said:

... been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive ever. ... no vaccine has yet been developed. This virus simply destroys Sector Zero from the hard disk, where vital information for its functioning are stored.

You also don't tend to get histrionics and techno-babble like this in genuine virus alerts IIRC.

[Byff]

No, I didn't look very hard. Consider myself chastised.

[JonRB]

You are forgiven, my son. Go and say 15 "hail Teds" and you will be absolved of all guilt.