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"Virus Hoax:
Malicious Code Example"
Virus Hoax Warnings: Page 13
of 39
Death Ray
The Death Ray Virus is a hoax. The following "Death Ray Virus"
warning was reported in the Weekly World News and other
publications. CIAC knows of no virus or any computer program for
that matter that has caused physical damage to a computer or cause
it to explode. The only systems we know about where software could
cause hardware damage are some of the original IBM PCs where the
video card could be switched to handle the wrong monitor type which
damaged the input circuits of the monitor. No explosion was
invloved, only non-working electronics. A deadly new computer virus
that actually causes home computers to explode in a hellish blast of
glass fragments and flame has injured at least 47 people since
August 15, horrifying authorities who say millions of people are
risking injury, blindness or death every time they sit down to work
at their PC!
"Computer viruses of the past could disable your computer, but this
virus goes a step further -- and can kill you," declared Martin
Heriden, a computer expert who specializes in identifying computer
viruses. "This virus doesn't carry the usual 'markers' that enable
it to be detected. It slips through the cracks, so to speak.
"It is an extremely complicated process. But suffice it to say that
the virus affects the computer's hardware, creating conditions that
lead to dangerous short circuits and power surges. The end result?
Explosions -- powerful explosions. And millions of Internet users
are at risk."
The virus, nicknamed Death Ray by experts like Heriden, surfaced in
England on August 1. A 24-year-old college student was permanently
blinded when his 15-inch color monitor exploded in his face.
"So how do you protect yourself? I wish I knew," said Heriden. "You
either stop using the Internet or you take your chances until we can
get a handle on this thing and get rid of it for good.
Copyright 2004 by Jay Jennings
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