Joanne: the whole point of this hoax is that it directs its recipients to
remove a system file from their computers -- not a virus file, not a "hoax
virus file", not even a harmless file put there by the hoaxer, but a
pre-existing system file, a file that is a standard part of the operating
system of the computer, and has been there since Windows was installed on
it. Granted <sulfnbk.exe> is not a very important component (it's a system
utility that restores long file names), and you may well be able to use your
computer to the end of its days without you or the operating system calling
on that file, but you've done exactly what the hoaxer wanted you to do --
delete a Windows system file, and recommend to a large number of other
people that they do the same!

There's a description of this virus hoax on

www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/sulfnbk.exe.warning.html

including information on how to restore the deleted system file if you'd
feel more comfortable with your operating system intact.


JW


----- Original Message -----
From: "Joanne H. Powell" <jhpowell at iea.com>
To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>; "Inland Northwest"
<inland-NW-birders at uidaho.edu>; "Kelly Andrew" <kevkeland at aol.com>; "Greg
Anders" <jamesgseven at hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2001 7:08 AM
Subject: fake virus, but...


I received the following information from my sister. I have sent out some
messages and replied to some messages so thought I should send this to you.
AOL says this is a hoax virus but I took it off my system anyway. There's
enough garbage on my hard drive without hoax virus files sitting there! And,
of course, there's always this sneaking suspicion that somewhere in that
file there really IS something lying in wait. E-mail paranoia strikes
again!!

Here's the message I received:

"The virus apparently lies dormat for 14 days and then wakes up and
somehow damages files on the hard drive.
To determine if you have the virus and remove it:
1. Go to start -- then to "Find" or "Search"

2. In the Search for file or folders type in
sulfnbk.exe

3. In the look in make sure you are searching Drive C

4. Hit Search button (or find)

5. If this file shows up (it's an ugly blackish icon that will have the

name sulfnbk.exe) DO NOT OPEN IT

6. RIGHT CLICK on the file -- go down to delete and left click.

7. Click on yes and send it to the recycle bin.

8. Go to your desktop (where all your icons are) and
double click on the recycle bin.

9. RIGHT CLICK on sulfnbk.exe and delete again - or empty bin."


Regards, Joanne
Reardan (Spokane) WA
mailto: jhpowell at iea.com