Stopping worms from spreading

**Grumpy John** · 18th June 2009, 01:07 PM

I received the following information in an email the other day and was wondering if the information is accurate. I am very wary of stuff like this being forwarded by "well meaning" friends, but this one seems to have some credibility.

How to protect your e-mail address book.

I learned a computer trick today that's really ingenious in its simplicity. As you may know, when/if a worm virus gets into your computer it heads straight for your email address book, and sends itself to everyone in there, thus infecting all your friends and associates.
This trick won't keep the virus from getting into your computer, but it will stop it from using your address book to spread further, and it will alert you to the fact that the worm has gotten into your system.

Here's what you do:
First, open your address book and click on 'new contact,' just as you would do if you were adding a new friend to your list of email addresses.
In the window where you would type your friend's first name, type in 'A'.

For the email address, type [email protected]

Now, here's what you've done and why it works:
The 'name 'A' will be placed at the top of your address book as entry #1.

This will be where the worm will start in an effort to send itself to all your friends. When it tries to send itself to [email protected], it will be undeliverable because of the phony email address you entered. If the first attempt fails (which it will because of the phony address), the worm goes no further and your friends will not be infected.

Here's the second great advantage of this method:
If an email cannot be delivered, you will be notified of this in your In Box almost immediately. Hence, if you ever get an email telling you that an email addressed to [email protected] could not be delivered, you know right away that you have a worm virus in your system. You can then take steps to get rid of it!

**silentC** · 18th June 2009, 01:20 PM

I usually check snopes.com for this type of thing. I've seen this one before and they have a page on it:

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/quickfix.asp

**Grumpy John** · 18th June 2009, 01:36 PM

Thanks for that Silent, I thought it was too good to be true.

**Wongdai** · 18th June 2009, 02:05 PM

Just get yourself a decent anti virus product and don't worry about faffing around with tricks like this.

**Grumpy John** · 18th June 2009, 02:31 PM

I have a very good anti virus setup also good anti spam. I was just wondering about the legitimacy of the idea.

**punkahknight** · 18th June 2009, 09:24 PM

Hello G.J. Many of these type of emails arrive at varying times of the year. The bottom line is if in doubt delete. Also the advice given by Wongdai is excellent.

Personally I use AVG antivirus software, however other users have their own ideas regarding same. I have not had a virus for several years.
Regards
Reggie

**silentC** · 18th June 2009, 10:35 PM

What are you on about? It's a site that examines hoax emails and gives analysis based on research. How does it give "false email alerts"? They don't ask you for your email address. I use the site often and have found it useful and I have never received an email from them.

**punkahknight** · 18th June 2009, 11:06 PM

There are better sites available than Snopes, each to their own though. Is all I was doing was giving my opinion. I have had many people contact me regarding the site. I do my research and give them my opinions, whether they take it on board is up to them. As others stated the antivirus program is the main defensive way of handling things. As I stated IF IN DOUBT DELETE IT. And yes they have given rogue information on their site.
Again if someone asks for help we offer it, we do not need to be at loggerheads over someone else's feedback. Let's just say, we will agree to disagree.
Catch up another time
Reggie

**silentC** · 18th June 2009, 11:14 PM

Well, no, you weren't just giving your opinion of the site, you implied that there was some risk involved in going to snopes.com to check out hoax emails etc. It's not a matter of "to each their own" at all. If you have a site that gives better information on this type of thing, then share it with us. Spreading alarmist nonsense is not really helpful. In fact, you might say it's no better than the hoax emails we are trying to deal with.

**punkahknight** · 18th June 2009, 11:31 PM

Don't get your knickers in a knot, I have posted my info. I stand by it.
Reggie

**Woodwould** · 18th June 2009, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by punkahknight

I have had many people contact me regarding the site. I do my research and give them my opinions...

Why do "many people" contact you regarding Snopes?

Originally Posted by punkahknight

Again if someone asks for help we offer it...

Who is "we"?

**rrobor** · 18th June 2009, 11:57 PM

I heard about this one must have been 10 years ago, it didnt work then and it wont work now. The Worm buzzes all the addresses in your book and the messages are sent. Your computer does not know that A@ AA is not there, its the server. This you proved by stating you get notification that the address can not be found. Its an old wifes tale and worthless.

**silentC** · 19th June 2009, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by punkahknight

Don't get your knickers in a knot, I have posted my info. I stand by it.
Reggie

Yes you have, and I am questioning it and I was hoping you would explain the comment "this site is also well known for giving false email alerts" because as far as I know, snopes does not give email alerts, let alone false ones. They do have a newsletter you can subscribe to which gives you updates on what is new at the site. Your comment leads me to believe that you don't actually know what the site is about.

The reason this is an issue for me is because I have found the site useful and your advice to not use it might actually be taken by people who could benefit from it, as it helps to check the veracity of an urban legend or hoax email before forwarding it on. I wish more of my friends would use it.

It has nothing to do with anti-virus software and does not give advice on dealing with viruses or worms. It does not replace the need for good anti virus software and no has ever suggested it does.

**wheelinround** · 19th June 2009, 09:37 AM

Wash hands well take plenty Combantrin

**Ian Smith** · 19th June 2009, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by punkahknight

There are better sites available than Snopes,

OK, so how about listing a few please so that we all might benefit

Ian

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