Virus Warning email from Microsoft, attached file is q216309.exe

Automated PC Solutions

VACM - Virus Alerts for the Common Man

Virus Warning email from Microsoft, attached file is q216309.exe

Greetings from The VACM Team,

In This Issue:
----------------------
A very Dangerous Virus Alert email from Microsoft!
With an attached file called q216309.exe

***************************************************
* The Bottom Line...
***************************************************
This email from Microsoft is a dangerous hoax and virus!
Previously reported in our VACM Alert on March 6, 2002, this alleged
virus alert from Microsoft, is NOT from Microsoft and the file
attachment is NOT a fix for any virus... the attachment IS itself a
virus.

If you double-click on the attachment, the virus will email itself to
everyone in your address book using its own built in email engine. It
will also install a BackDoor Trojan which allows your system to be
completely controlled by the hacker(s) who created the virus.

***************************************************
* What You Should Do...
***************************************************
- See the original VACM article for complete description of this
virus's payload, and removal instructions in the event that you
execute the virus. The original article is at:

Phony email from Microsoft is really a Worm Virus!

- Delete the email.

- Perform the steps in our "HowTo" articles to further protect your
system and learn how to safely deal with attachments. The
VACM "HowTo" articles can be found on the VACM Home Page at:

The VACM Archives Home Page

Best Regards,
Marc Deschenes, VACM Editor
The VACM Project at
Automated PC Solutions

*** Be sure to check out the appendix at the end of this alert
if you are having trouble booting your computer into "Safe Mode".
The process is all spelled out for you there.

Why should you be very
concerned about Spyware?

Learn how to avoid Identity Theft and Windows corruption in this
free VACM Video:
VACM-tested #1 AntiSpyware Software

How did they steal my Identity?

Why do I get so much SPAM ?

Why is your computer
running so slow ?

Today, every PC needs just a few protection softwares. Find out what and why. Visit our Links Page to avoid Indentiry Theft and costly computer repairs.
VACM Links to Protection Tools and Softwares

Keep your PC Safe and
Avoid a costly trip to the shop...
with these VACM approved tools.

You need 3 things to protect your PC(s) automatically. Use these links to go directly to the Download and Purchase pages:

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are collector's items and
worth good money!
(yes... just the empty boxes)

get your
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price guide
now.

To cancel your subscription to VACM, reply to this email with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject.

If you click on the link below, the "unsubscribe" email will be created for you and you can simply hit "Send" in you email program:

Create My Unsubscribe Email

IMPORTANT: please include the email address at which you are currently receiving VACM Alerts in the body of the message.

******** APPENDIX - Handy How-To Tips **********

* How To Boot into Safe Mode

Shut the computer down so that the power is off.

Turn the computer on, wait 1 second and begin pressing the F8 key
on the keyboard, once every second repeatedly. Do this until
the Windows Startup Menu appears. If you get a keyboard
error, press F1 to resume and then continue pressing the
F8 key once every second, or your PC may tell you to press another key for BIOS setup.

Select Safe Mode from the Windows Startup Menu, then press
the Enter key on the keyboard.

Windows will then boot into Safe Mode.
NOTE: This may take longer than a normal boot.

At the end of the boot process a dialog box will appear
informing you that Windows is in Safe Mode. Click OK on this dialog box.

Windows is now in Safe Mode.

If you miss hitting the F8 at the right time, Windows will boot
normally and you will not see the "Safe Mode" message. In this
case, start from the top of these instructions until you get the
boot menu screen where you can choose "Safe Mode". This can be
a little tricky the first time you do it.

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