Title:  What should I do if I receive email about a computer virus?

Question:
I sometimes get email that describes some computer virus to watch out for.
It is tempting to send this on and warn everyone I know, but I've heard that
some of these might be hoaxes. What do you advise?

Answer:
- If you get an email message warning you of a virus, DO NOT forward it

- Before notifying others of new virus alerts, check the validity of the
virus with a reputable source (see below)

- NEVER open email attachments unless you know what they are and from
whom they originate

Many computer virus warning messages sent by individuals are inaccurate.
Some are "hoaxes" started by a person who wants to see their message go
around the world and possibly come back to them (like a chain letter).

The hoax warning is generally forwarded by well-meaning people and can
contain phrases such as:

- "Send this warning to all your friends!"
- "No anti-virus program can detect it!"

and possibly a lot of intimidating technical details about the ways in
which the virus operates and the damage that it is capable of.

The best protection against viruses is to install a good anti-virus
program, such as Sophos Anti-Virus Software available at no
cost of all current UW faculty, staff, and students at the 
following Web site:

  http://www.washington.edu/uware/sophos/ 

RESOURCES:

  The US Department of Energy Computer Incident Advisory Capability
pages include the Hoaxbusters site:

      http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/

There, you'll find information about most known hoaxes, general advice and
links to more information.

  A good resource for checking on the latest virus news is the 
McAfee Virus Information Library: 

       http://vil.mcafee.com/

  UW computer security and anti-virus software information:

       http://www.washington.edu/itconnect/security/