1. It wastes an incredible amount of hard disk space, space
which could otherwise be used for productive
applications.
2. It causes the infected computer's performance to be
drastically reduced -- Pentium machines which are
stricken are known to slow down to the speed of a 486.
3. It surreptitiously modifies the underlying operating
system, causing the core functionality of the instrument
to change radically.
4. It, through the use of Trojan-like alterations to the
core Java APIs, may cause Java applets to malfunctions.
These effects are so severe that the designers of Java,
Sun Microsystems, are taking legal action against the
inventors of this terrible virus.
5. It, once installed, is virtually impossible for the
average user to remove from the system.
6. It is known to create security holes, which can allow
unknown users to delete or destroy files on your hard
drive.
7. It is known to cause many popular and reliable Internet
browsers, such as Netscape Navigator and Netscape
Communicator, to not function correctly.
8. It is even known to infect newly purchased computers
coming from repuatable manufacturers like Compaq and
Dell. These companies have so far been powerless to
prevent this virus from being installed on the computers
they sell.
9. It is known to be undetectable by most virus-checking
software packages
The good news is that the Justice Department is currently
investigating the rogue hackers who concocted this destructive
virus. They have been traced to a Seattle suburb, and may face
fines of ONE MILLION DOLLARS PER DAY for the pernicious manner in
which this virus is being distributed. The bad news is that
millions of computers have ALREADY BEEN INFECTED. The inventors of
this virus even have the gall to gleefully boast about this
terrible fact on their web site!
Here's what YOU can do:
1. If you see a website with the "Internet Explorer" logo,
do NOT click on the logo. This can cause this virus to
be downloaded and installed on your system!
2. If your computer is already infected, and it's a
Windows-based PC, call the technical support hotline at
Microsoft (the company which wrote Windows), and ask them
for instructions on how to disable and remove this virus.
They should have instructions to do so.
I apologize for the urgent tone of this message, but only if
we work together can the spread of the dreaded Internet Explorer
4.0 virus be slowed or stopped.