Sarah is 100% correct on this. The message generates its own life, and
circulates on the Internet every few months. The message itself is the
virus. It always causes a flurry, and someone out there is in a panic.
Watch, though! This same warning will come up again in a few months. This is
the 4th cycle or so that I've seen it (the first time was about 3 or 4 years
ago).
 
Reading an email itself can't transmit a [computer] virus.
 
Chris Booth
> ----------
> From:         Sarah Graham
> Reply To:     Ezra Pound discussion list of the University of Maine
> Sent:         Wednesday, June 3, 1998 2:28 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: watch out!: the truth!
>
> At 18:54 03/06/98 +0900, you wrote:
>
> >>   If you receive an email titled "WIN A HOLIDAY" DO NOT open it.
> >>>  It will erase everything on your hard drive.
>
> Don't worry about this, it is a hoax. Opening an e-mail cannot do this
> kind
> of damage to your computer. A virus has get into your hard-drive by being
> down-loaded, usually as part of a program. Apparently, this bogus
> information has been circulating for a while, and is itself the 'virus',
> in
> that encourages us to get worked up about nothing. I have been told this
> by
> more than one person who is 'in the know' about these things, so I think
> we
> can rest easy.
> Sarah
>
>
>
> **************************************************
> *  When I am talking about the weather           *
> *  I know what I am talking about.               *
> *                            Kurt Schwitters     *
> **************************************************
>