Truth About Computer Security Hysteria

PrettyPark worm/virus

A real but overblown chain-letter virus alert. The threat itself surfaced in mid-1999; hysterical chain letters continue to this day. A typical version of this alert screams "this is a real virus!!! I checked it out on Norton.com." It does not mention an authoritative web page where you can confirm the threat. (See below for links to authoritative web pages.)

Like most hysterical chain letters, this alert urges you to "WARN EVERYONE YOU CARE FOR EVEN IF YOU THINK THEY MAY HAVE HEARD." The author reassures you by saying "NO ONE WILL EVER FAULT YOU FOR CARING ... I would rather receive this warning 25 times then [sic] not receive it once!"

Logically, you could forward 24 more copies of the alert to the person who sent it to you. But, um, Vmyths.com doesn't actually recommend it.

Last updated: 2001/1/12