Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #1  

Junkman

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Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

I received the following e mail this evening and the interesting thing about it, is there is a warning in the e mail not to trust it. I checked my computer by doing a Microsoft site update and found that there were no updates needed, so that leads me to believe that this is a HOAX. DON'T GET FOOLED is my best advise to you.
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<font color="red"> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

MICROSOFT SECURITY UPDATE ALERT

May 1, 2004

VIRUS ALERT
============

Microsoft has verified that a malicious worm known as W32.Sasser.worm
and variants of that worm are spreading on the Internet.

You can help protect your computer by downloading and installing
Microsoft Security Update MS04-011. You can find more information
on this update at:

http://go.microsoft.com/?LinkID=466770

If you have already installed the update, you are protected from the
worm. If you have not already installed the update, you can download
and
install it from the Windows Update Web site. The update is listed in
the
critical updates under the update number 835732.

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

If you think your computer may be infected by W32.Sasser.worm, find
out
for sure and learn what you can do to remove it by visiting the What
You
Should Know About Sasser page at:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/sasser.asp

BEWARE OF BOGUS BULLETINS
=========================

If you receive an e-mail message that claims to contain a Microsoft
software update, it is probably a virus trying to trick you into
infecting your computer. Microsoft never widely distributes software
in e-mail messages.

Learn how to spot a bogus bulletin:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/antivirus/authenticate_mail.asp

ABOUT THE MICROSOFT SECURITY UPDATE
===================================

The Microsoft Security Update is an e-mail alert service
designed for home users and small businesses that provides
information about Microsoft security updates and virus alerts.
Microsoft also uses this service to make subscribers aware that
they might need to take action to guard against a circulating
security threat.

You have received this update because you are a subscriber.

Additional Resources:
=====================
*PROTECT YOUR PC: Microsoft has provided information on how you
can help protect your PC at:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

*SECURITY WEBSITE
http://www.microsoft.com/security/

*HELP PROTECT YOUR PC FROM MASS-MAILER WORMS, SUCH AS BAGLE AND
NETSKY
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/mass_mailer.asp

*SECURITY BULLETIN SEARCH TOOL
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx

*SECURITY NEWSGROUPS
http://go.microsoft.com/?LinkID=436862

*SECURITY NEWSGROUPS TOP 10 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
http://go.microsoft.com/?LinkID=436863

Support:
========
Technical support is available from Microsoft Product Support
Services at 1-866-PC SAFETY (1-866-727-2338) in the United States and
Canada only. There is no charge for support calls associated with
security updates. International customers can get support from their
local Microsoft subsidiaries. Phone numbers for international support
can be found at:
http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

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To verify the digital signature on this bulletin, please download our PGP key at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/notify.asp.

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</font>
 
   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #2  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

Reminds me of the Paypal scam. Please update your information in order to keep using Paypal. They ask for everything including your credit card number.
 
   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #3  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

Is it a scam? Those are all valid Microsoft website addresses.
 
   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #4  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

<font color="blue"> and found that there were no updates needed, so that leads me to believe that this is a HOAX.</font>
This simply means that your PC had the latest update already applied, it does not mean that this is a hoax. Many manufacturers set their PCs up to automatically get Windows updates and install them, no intervention required. My anti-virus software is set up this way as are my WindowsXP systems.

<font color="blue"> there is a warning in the e mail not to trust it. </font>
I assume you mean the folllowing?

<font color="blue"> If you receive an e-mail message that claims to contain a Microsoft software update, it is probably a virus trying to trick you into infecting your computer. Microsoft never widely distributes software in e-mail messages.</font>

You misread the email. The key words in this warning are that claims to contain a Microsoft software update. In other words, the email itself contains an attachment the recipient is supposed to run. Microsoft always directs you to their website for updates. They never include the update as an attachment.

This is a valid email and not a hoax. Attached is a screen shot of the Windows Security Updates for April 2004, one of the URLs in the email.
 

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   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #5  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

Mike, I have mine set up to automatically download the critcal updates, too, as well as the Norton AntiVirus, but I've never gotten an e-mail like that from Microsoft.
 
   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #6  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

<font color="blue">...but I've never gotten an e-mail like that from Microsoft.</font>
Microsoft regularly sends e-mail to subscribers of our security e-mail notification services when we release a Microsoft Security Bulletin.

Bulletins Released in 2004
April
MS04-011–MS04-014: Security Updates for Microsoft Windows (835732, 828741, 837009, 837001)
 
   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #7  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

Guess it's because I'm not a "subscriber", Mike. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #8  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

<font color="blue"> Guess it's because I'm not a "subscriber", Mike. </font>
Neither am I. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!! #9  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

i am not a computer expert, but i am running win XP home, and i never received an e mail fro microsoft like that. i get update notifications, but always go to the update site to check on them.
 
   / Don't be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Re: Don\'t be fooled by Microsoft Update eMail!!!!

I am running Windows XP Professional and it originally was a Beta copy from Microsoft, so that might account for the e mail that I received. I have since updated with the latest commercially available copy. I have received email's from them in the past, but something about this one that spooked me, because it didn't look anything like any of the previous ones. Don't know if this is standard for all XP users, but whenever a problem arises, there is a pop up box to click to send a message to Microsoft advising them about it. I do know that XP is a lot better than when I was running ME.
 
 
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