Security news and informationDebunking Computer Hoaxes
How many of you have received emails in the past stating that there was a file that was a virus and that you had to delete it. Or an email saying you would get paid by Microsoft 10 cents for every person you send an email to and who they send it to? Ok. You can all put your hands down.
These types of emails are common. We all get them. Some are spam, some are forwarded over by friends and family, but ultimately we are reading them and wondering if the information is real or a hoax. You may be wondering why I am bringing this up in a security blog? Quite simply because sometimes these hoaxes tell you to do something to your computer or delete a file that you shouldn’t.
For example the famous JDBGMGR.EXE computer hoax that my family still sends me from time to time after they deleted the file. This hoax states that you have a virus on your computer called JDBGMGR.EXE and that you should delete it. Here is a brief snippet:
“The name of the virus is jdbgmgr.exe and is transmitted automatically through the Messanger and addresses book of the OUTLOOK. The virus is neither detected by Norton nor by Mc Afee. It remains in lethargy (”sleeping”) for 14 days and even more, before it destroys the whole system. It can be eliminated during this period.”
This information is completely false. JDBGMGR.EXE is actually a legitimate file used by JAVA developers in Windows. Don’t worry if you deleted this file, though, as it is only really used by programmers. In your panic that there is a virus on your computer, how are you supposed to know if this is true or not?
There is a great site called Snopes that lists all of these types of emails and tells you if they are hoaxes or reality. Not only does it list computer hoxes, but it lists hoaxes and urban legends from every category. So check it out and do your research before you believe and follow the instructions in an an email.
