Invitation FB Olympic Torch Virus Hoax

Outline
Message circulating on Facebook warns users not to open an attachment called "Invitation Fb" because it will launch an "Olympic torch" virus that destroys the hard drive of the infected computer.



Brief Analysis
The claims in the warning are utter nonsense and should not be reposted. The warning is nothing more than a Facebook driven variant of an old hoax email that has circulated since 2006.

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Last updated: 3rd August 2011
First published: 3rd August 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Example


Detailed Analysis
According to yet another "virus" warning that is rapidly making its way around social network Facebook, users should watch out for messages with an attachment named "Invitation Fb". The warning claims that the attachment contains an Olympic torch virus that "will take the whole hard disk C" on the infected computer. The message further claims that this virus has been classified by Microsoft as the worst ever.

However the claims in the message are total nonsense. There is no virus like the one described in the warning. In fact, the message is nothing more than a Facebook flavoured variant of a tired old virus hoax that has circulated via email since 2006. As the following example of the 2006 email version reveals, the two are clearly woven from the very same cloth:

You should be alert during the next days: Do not open any message with an attached filed called "Invitation" regardless of who sent it. It is a virus that opens an Olympic Torch which "burns" the whole hard disc C of your computer. This is the worst virus announced by CNN, it has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever.

And the original Olympic Torch hoax was itself derived from an even earlier hoax email that began circulating more than a decade ago. Several other hoax messages based on the same "Olympic Torch" theme have circulated since 2006. None have contained even a shred of truth.

Spreading false virus warnings will help nobody. If this hoax message appears on your Facebook page, please do not repost it. And please help to stop its spread by informing the poster and other users that the message is a hoax.



References
Olympic Torch Invitation Virus Hoax
Virtual Card For You Virus Hoax
Black in the White House Virus Hoax

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