Virus Hoaxes

SeniorNet Napier newsletters have previously strongly advised members to ignore virus warnings (usually sent by well meaning friends). If you receive a virus warning it is probably a hoax, and the best thing to do is delete the message.
We are repeating this advice for the benefit of newer members, and because another hoax has cropped up in the last day or so.
It's not a good idea to send these warnings (hoaxes) on to other people, as the message invariably urges you to do.
Some time ago the value of this advice was demonstrated when a hoax appeared, which warned recipients about a 'virus' file called sulfnbk.exe and gave detailed instructions on how to remove this file and get rid of the 'virus'. Trouble is, the supposed 'virus' file is actually part of Windows 98 operating system, and is required by Windows 98 for handling long file names. People who were tricked into deleting this file were sabotaging their own systems.
In the last few days a similar hoax has surfaced, warning about a file called jdbmgr.exe.
Recipients of the hoax message were told this is a virus which cannot be detected by Norton or McAfee, and were given detailed instructions on how to find and delete it.
The file is actually a legitimate Windows System file and is used by Windows in connection with running Java applets. It isn't a critical file, but some Java applets will not work if it is removed. Java applets are commonly associated with the display of web pages when you are using the Internet.
Instructions are available for restoring these files from your installation disk, for anyone who has been caught by the hoax and removed them.
John Selby

First printed in SNN Newsletter August 2002