WTC Survivor Virus Hoax
Summary:Message warns that a virus called WTC Survivor is spreading via email and can "erase your whole C drive" (
Full commentary below).
Status:False
Examples:(Submitted via email, 2003)
One of the original versions:
I received this from a reliable family friend this morning.
10/28/01 BIG TROUBLE !!!! DO NOT OPEN "WTC Survivor" It is a virus
that will erase your whole "C" drive. It will come to you in the
form of an E-Mail from a familiar person. I repeat a friend sent
it to me, but called and warned me before I opened it. He was not
so lucky and now he can't even start his computer! Forward this to
everyone in your address book. I would rather receive this 25 times
than not not all.
If you receive an email called "WTC Survivor" do not open it.
Delete it right away! This virus removes all dynamic link libraries
(.dll files) from your computer. This is a serious one.
A more current version:
During the next several weeks be VERY cautious about opening or
launching any e-mails that refer to the World Trade Centre or 9/11
in any way, regardless of who sent it. PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL YOUR
FRIENDS AND FAMILY. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, "WTC" STANDS FOR THE
WORLD TRADE CENTRE. REALLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL OPEN IT
RIGHT AWAY, THINKING ITS A STORY RELATING TO 9/11!
BIGGGG TROUBLE !!!! DO NOT OPEN "WTC Survivor" It is a virus that
will erase your whole "C" drive. It will come to you in the form of
an E-Mail from a familiar person. I repeat, a friend sent it to me,
but called and warned me before I opened it. He was not so lucky
and now he can't even start his computer!
Forward this to everyone in your address book. I would rather
receive this 25 times than not at all. So, if you receive an email
called "WTC Survivor", do not open it. Delete it right away! This
virus removes all dynamic link libraries (.dll files) from your
computer.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE
Commentary:
In spite of its age, the WTC Survivor virus hoax is still one of
the most widely distributed email hoaxes on the Internet. It
originally began circulation not long after the tragedy of 9/11.
It disgusts me that the perpetrators of this hoax could use such
a profound human tragedy to add weight to their pointless nonsense.
There is not, nor has there ever been a virus like the one described
in the email.
There are several, equally nonsensical, versions of this hoax,
including one rendered in Spanish.
You can
confirm the status of this hoax email at the Symantec Website.
Write-up by Brett M. Christensen
