Virus Alert -- Tips on De-bugging the Hoaxes & Pranksters

Recently yours truly forwarded a "phony" virus alert message which came to him from a well-intentioned friend. Needless to say, I was somewhat chagrined [:-(] to find out from my more savvy internet alumni that no such virus exists, nor is its presence on the Net ever likely to be known.

Apparently, the most dangerous thing about the "Good Times" virus is that it will waste your time reading about it; therefore, if I were you, I'd trash any further messages concerning said virus just out of general principle!

The following items may help you sort out the Truth from the Terror regarding the threat of internet virus infection:

• Sheila LaRoche ('80) kindly e-mailed me this URL; check it out for a list of known virus programs.
• "Good Times" virus is a hoax, says Cyberport Administration.
• My colleague at SHS, Science teacher Bryan Field, sent me this VERY funny satirical version of the "Good Times" virus prank!
• NSCA Virus Lab Alerts and Hoaxes @ http://www.ncsa.com/virus/alerthoax.html
• CIAC Internet Hoaxes @ http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html
• Computer Virus Myths Home Page @ http://kumite.com/myths/
• The scoop on the "AOL4FREE" (trojan horse) virus.

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