Content

AOL Instant Message Hoax

Type
Hoax
SubType
AOL
Discovery Date
04/07/2000
Length
Minimum DAT
N/A ( )
Updated DAT
N/A ( )
Minimum Engine
5.1.00
Description Added
04/07/2000
Description Modified
04/07/2000 12:00 AM (PT)
Risk Assessment
Corporate User
N/A
Home User
N/A

Tab Navigation

Characteristics

AVERT HOAX Notice!!

McAfee AVERT Labs would like to inform you of an email HOAX.

Although there are trojans which work as a Denial of Service attack (known as "punters") which can flood an AOL client, essentially disconnecting it from the AOL network, it is more likely that the experience described in the email is based on one which was coincidental to what actually happened.

AOL clients provide security against "punter" programs in the security configurations. AOL users should consult with AOL support on the configuration settings.

The name of the AOL account that is referenced in the email has been omitted.

We are advising users who receive the email to delete it and DO NOT pass it on as this is how an email HOAX propagates.

Below is the actual text from the message that may be received via email.

Again, if you receive this email delete it and DO NOT pass it on.

McAfee AVERT

Symptoms

Not applicable, delete or ignore messages which match this description.

Method of Infection

Not applicable, delete or ignore messages which match this description.

Removal

Users should either ignore or delete messages received matching this description.

Variants

Variants

    N/A

All Information

Overview -

Characteristics

Characteristics -

AVERT HOAX Notice!!

McAfee AVERT Labs would like to inform you of an email HOAX.

Although there are trojans which work as a Denial of Service attack (known as "punters") which can flood an AOL client, essentially disconnecting it from the AOL network, it is more likely that the experience described in the email is based on one which was coincidental to what actually happened.

AOL clients provide security against "punter" programs in the security configurations. AOL users should consult with AOL support on the configuration settings.

The name of the AOL account that is referenced in the email has been omitted.

We are advising users who receive the email to delete it and DO NOT pass it on as this is how an email HOAX propagates.

Below is the actual text from the message that may be received via email.

Again, if you receive this email delete it and DO NOT pass it on.

McAfee AVERT

Symptoms

Symptoms -

Not applicable, delete or ignore messages which match this description.

Method of Infection

Method of Infection -

Not applicable, delete or ignore messages which match this description.

Removal -

Removal -

Users should either ignore or delete messages received matching this description.

Variants

Variants -

    N/A