Truth About Computer Security Hysteria

Moment of Silence virus

An almost direct rip-off of the original Good Times hoax virus alert (see related link). It claims your computer will suffer a horrible death if you receive an email with the subject line "A Moment of Silence."

Like Good Times, it claims the U.S. Federal Communications Commission issued an alert. And like most hoax alerts, it urges you to "forward this to anyone you care about."

The popularity of this hoax forced many companies & gov't agencies to block emails with the phrase "moment of silence." It caused a string of false alarms in November 2000 upon the death of Medal of Honor recipient John Levitow. You guessed it — military veterans tried to send emails requesting "a moment of silence" to mark Levitow's passing.

Last updated: 2000/11/28