Ask Sam: Don’t be fooled by a Virus Hoax

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Ask Sam: Don’t be fooled by a Virus Hoax

Well-intentioned people can be fooled into thinking they have a virus when they don’t and they may actually remove files that are necessary to the normal operation of your computer. This hoax plays upon people’s natural desire to help others and their lack of computer sophistication.

Recently I have received the same e-mail from at least three different people. Each told me about a file they were “warned” about named “jdbgmgr.exe.” I was told how to delete it. It turns out that this is a perfectly safe and necessary file for my PC.

If you receive an e-mail from a friend or relative telling you about a file on your computer that should be removed, DO NOT REMOVE IT! First, find out if this file represents a real threat, or a hoax.

You can go to www.symantec.com/search and enter a file name to review. It will tell you if this is a real virus or a hoax. Or visit this page on their site for up-to-date information on real viruses and hoaxes: real viruses.

(If I can help you make your online experience more pleasant, or at least less painful, I’d be glad to try. Chances are, if you’ve got a question, hundreds of other TSCL supporters do, too! Write to me at Sam@TSCL.org.)

September 2003