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Don't Be So Gullible! Ben's Tips To Avoid Burning Down Your Computer & Stop Ridiculous Internet-Fueled Rumors
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They pop up on your computer screen as an e-mail warning you about an impending virus that is sweeping the internet. At first glance it appears as though someone is looking out for you...but not so quick. Beware of someone appearing to do something nice for you via e-mail.
 Please Note: The help I'm about to share with you is courtesy of Ronnie Neighbours at Arlington's Take It Home Computers. If you need someone you can trust when it comes to your computer, this is the only stop you'll need to make on your road to cyber-help. Without question, Ronnie's the man when it comes to fixing your computer, getting it upgraded, or getting a new computer altogether. Check out his website, give him a call of e-mail and rest assured, you'll be taken great care of...and help protect you or fix your computer from e-mailed garbage like the example which follows...
Just because you get an e-mail from a friend that warns you that your computer might be infected by a virus, you've gotta do your homework first, to make absolutely sure that the "virus" you're being warned about is actually a virus, and not an important program that your computer relies upon. Here's a current example of a very dangerous and destructive prank that's circulating on the Internet:
"You'd better look and see if you have this virus. I had it and didn't know.
The virus' name is jdbgmgr.exe and it is not detected with McAfee or NortonIt remains in your computer's system for 14 days before it erases all you files....."
Then there's instructions on how to delete the file. [Want more info about this particular problem? Check out the Norton/Symantec website for the complete scoop.]
Question: So what should you do if you receive an e-mail telling you to delete something on your computer?
Answer: Don't do it! Do your homework first! Check out the section that I've dedicated to uncovering scams and bogus information:
www.bendover.com/bogusbull.asp There's a wealth of resources there to help you do your homework.
Question: What is the person who sends this type of e-mail out trying to accomplish?
Answer: The originator/perpetrator is a cyber-punk that's simply trying to get people to destroy their own computers. It's malicious and a minor-league version of the folks that make the really bad viruses that seem to pop up every few months.
Question: If you delete this information will it ruin your computer?
Answer: Not this particular program [the JDGBMGR.EXE program that is]. But it's a dangerous precedent for future scams of this nature.
Question: So if I've made the mistake of deleting this program and emptying my Recycle Bin, what can I do to get it back/make it right?
Answer: Check out the special section on Microsoft's website
that describes what to do, gives you the program to download and even tells you how to re-install it.
Question: There's another e-mail going around is that the government is going to start charging to use e-mail. Here's an excerpt:
"Dear Ben: I'm attaching an e-mail that I received this morning that really has me steamed! Apparently the U.S. Government is going to start billing us a 5 cent surcharge on every e-mail delivered!! "
This e-mail looks very official.. it's signed by lawyers asking people to write their congressman .. to say no to Bill 602P. Is this for real?
Answer: No way! It's another silly waste of time e-mail chain letter that people spread and forward before they've checked it out. You absolutely have to verify everything first...because looks are so deceiving. You're not doing anyone any good by forwarding garbage rumors;
I already covered this in my column all the way back in 1999.
Bottom line? Do your homework before you do anything stupid that you're gonna regret:
www.bendover.com/bogusbull.asp
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