DEBRIS.COMgood for a laugh, or possibly an aneurysm

It has recently been discovered that all varieties of the Windows operating system, as well as Outlook and Outlook Express, are a virus!!!! Telltale behavior includes shotgun forwarding of phony virus warnings to the entire address book!!!!

I received two copies of an absurd virus warning this weekend. It’s difficult to tell which is worse, the threat of a destructive virus, or the pileup of warning emails that precedes it. Actually, I know what is worse still: most varieties of the Windows operating system, which in their gross vulnerabilities encourage panic-stricken, distrustful users to spam the entire planet with virus warnings.

I don’t happen to use Windows so I’m immune to 99% of the viruses that these emails warn about. The next challenge: becoming immune to the email pileup.

What was curious about the latest “virus warning” attack is that it references McAfee’s website, presumably to gain the credibility of their anti-virus brand. However, a 30-second visit to mcafee.com indicates that this particular virus (“A Virtual Card For You”) is a hoax. Worse still, this hoax was listed in November of ‘00, meaning it’s been circulating the net for at least three months.

Windows users should bookmark this site: McAfee.com Virus Hoax Listings.

Gene Spafford, author of Practical UNIX & Internet Security, wrote a fascinating article describing why Windows is so vulnerable to viral infection, and suggests ways to reduce its huge vulnerabilities. Even single-machine homes can benefit from this. See also these steps to disable Windows Scripting Host, a primary vector of virus propagation.