We all get many Virus warnings in our emails. In most cases from well meaning friends, but unfortunatly we also get them from people just out to cause alarm.

The first thing I recommend doing when you receive a virus warning , no matter who sent it to you, is the following.

_____1. Go to www.symantec.com
_____2. Next click on the arrow on the left hand box of the two you see at the
_______top right of the page and select Viruses and risks from the drop
_______down menu.
_____3. Copy and past the Virus name given in the email into the right hand
_______box at the top right of the page.
_____4. Now click on the arrow at the right of this box.
_____5. When the search results are displayed look at the list and select what
_______looks like the most relevant result and click on its title.
_____6. You should now have a page, which will tell you if it is a real virus or a
_______Hoax.

If it’s a real virus by all means pass it on to your friends but include the url of the page that you found on Symantec and tell them to go and check the details.

If it is a Hoax, reply to your informant and send them the link telling them it is a Hoax and give them a copy of these instructions along with a recommendation to always check before passing such information.

The reason people start these hoax mails is to further tie up the Internet email system with yet more useless emails being sent along with the millions of useless spam mails that are sent out daily.

Be safe on the Internet and always check. Never assume its True, just as you should never assume it’s another Hoax.