Watch out: ‘Invitation’ as e-mail virus

Market Intelligence:

Remmy Nweke

There is electronic mail (e-mail) going rounds on the Internet nowadays entitled “Invitation.”
This mail regarded as a unique undertone, is a virus according to reports.

A computer virus as defined by Wikipedia online, is a self-replicating computer programme written to alter the way a computer operates basically without the permission or knowledge of the user.

It also noted that though the term is commonly used to refer to a range of malware, a true virus must replicate itself, and must execute itself.

The latter criteria, analysts said, is often met by a virus, which replaces existing executable files with a virus-infected copy. While viruses can be intentionally destructive; destroying data, for example some viruses are benign or merely annoying.

However, the email making rounds stated that Internet users should be at alert during the next few days warning that they should not open any message that has “Invitation” as subject.

Part of the warning email reads thus: “Don’t open any message with an attached file called “Invitation” regardless of who sent it. It’s a virus that opens an Olympic Torch that “burns” the whole hard disk of your computer. This virus will come from someone who has your e-mail address; that’s why you should send this e-mail to all your contacts. It’s better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus.”

The report also stated that it is the worst-ever virus announced recently by the Cable News Network (CNN), advising that the best step to take is to shut down the computer as soon as one discovers such a mail.

Equally reports have it that it has been classified by Microsoft as the most destructive virus ever, just as it was discovered by McAfee and there’s no repair yet for this electronic malice in the name of virus.

Experts also warned that it would simply destroy the zero sector of the hard disk, where vital information is kept as soon as it is opened.

Additionally, emails with pictures of where Osama Bin-Laden was hanged were being circulated and the moment any Internet user dares to open these emails; “Your computer will crash and you will not be able to fix it!”

The caution remained that if you ever get an email along the lines of “Osama Bin Laden Captured” or “Osama Hanged” don’t open the attachment.

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