Windows XP UPdate Email Virus

[Ray]

I received an email supposedly from Microsoft stating to
download the attached file for Windows XP update. The
attachment shows the following file:

Q417513.exe

I started to run the update but the virus scanner states
there is a virus contained in the file PLUS that Q# does
not appear in the database.

Is this someone's virus joke or a real message???

 

[John Barnett - MVP]

Tut Tut Ray! One word of warning. Microsoft *do not* send
out emails regarding updates. They may send out
newsletters with details of updates, but then only if you
request them, but they certainly don't send out the type
of email you recieved.
Unfortunately, yes it is a malicious joke. If you get one
again which i can assure you, you will. I personally get
loads and delete every single one of them. But the next
time just look at the sender address. You will see that
it doesn't originate from microsoft. It is no use trying
to send the message back, because th original sender
address doesn't exist. It isn't really wise to send any
spam back because it simple confirms that your email
address is live. Just delete it.
Luckily your anti virus picked it up before it caused any
damage. More than likely it would have attacked your
address book and sent copies to all your friends.
Just for the record, there are loads of these emails
doing the rounds, but another one to be wary of is one
from 'system administrator'. This isn't a microsoft scam
mail, but it implies that you have sent an email to
someone and it has been returned undeliverable. It then
attaches the 'so called email you sent' expecting yopu to
open it and release the virus. Just be careful!

Hope this helps

John Barnett - MVP
Associate Expert