Very Important

[WallStreet]

False alarm

This is a later edit. This is not an actual virus. It is a hoax virus. I'm very sorry if I scared anybody. The file is actually a rarely used windows component. I have been informed that it is NOT vital and can easily be uploaded again. I was misled about this late last night and my top priority was to warn those who might have been infected. Now that I've had some time to do due diligence I've realised that I was mistaken. Again, I am very sorry about the scare. Everything below the dashes is bogus information.
------------------------------------ I had a virus passed to my computer. I eliminated it while it was still dormant. This virus is passed through e-mail address books, it lays dormant for 14 days, then it destroys your hard drive. At this time I do not have any of you in my address book, but I do have Nontkl, JugglerTX, and DVNC on a secondary mailing list. I doubt that they have this virus, but better safe than sorry, and these afformentioned gentlemen along with anyone on their mailing lists must stop what they are doing right now and take 10 seconds to check and/or flush this from their systems.
The title of the virus is sulfnbk.exe
Follow these steps
1> Go to "Start", then to "Find" or "Search"
2> In the "Search for Files or Folders" type in sulfnbk.exe
3> In the "Look In" make sure you are searching Drive C and check "Include Subfolders". Drive C is NOT the first choice shown, so make sure you specify it otherwise it will sneak by you.
4> Hit "Search" button or "Find Now". If this file shows up it will have an ugly black icon next to it. DO NOT OPEN IT!!!!
6> Right click on the file and delete it. Empty your recycling bin immedietely.
If you have this virus you must alert every person on every one of your address books. If you share your computer with someone make sure they do the same on their address books.
Again, I doubt any of you have it, but better safe than sorry.
This virus went through many people before it got to the person that passed it to me. It was not intentionally given to me, and as I said it lies dormant for 2 weeks before it does damage. I'm not kidding around guys. Every one of you should take 10 seconds and check your computers right now.

 

[kurchatovium]

Thanks Wallstreet. I found the virus in my C:\Windows\Command directory and deleted it and then emptied the recycle bin. I doubt I got the file from here as the file properties menu says it has been in my computer since 1998. I would encourage everyone to check their computers as well. Thanks again.

 

[Oblesklk]

Symantec thinks this virus is a hoax

I am not an expert in computer virii. As such, I issue no opinion one way or another on the validity of this virus.

Click here to read the story from Symantec's security team

Myself, I'm behind a firewall at home, but God knows sometimes that just isn't enough 🙂 Whether or not the virus is out there, be safe everyone. Cyberspace is a strange place.

 

[kurchatovium]

Wallstreet, this virus might be a hoax. Check out the symantec website:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/sulfnbk.exe.warning.html

I think the hoax started in brazil. The sulfnbk.exe file is used by windows to restore corrupted files with long file names. It is not an essential program but if you wish to restore it follow the links listed in web address above and it will restore the file.

I would encorage everyone to check out either symantec or some other official website regarding any virus as they are many hoaxes out there. Even the experts where I work have gotten fooled a couple of times. Also get a virus protection program of some sort especially if you visit all those naughty adult websites. Some of the less reputable ones are full of viruses.

Hope this info is helpful.

 

[ktickler]

Thanks for the warning, but sometimes it is good to check the HOAX pages to verify if the virus is actually real.

I have fallen into the trap sometimes and have sent information about false virii. I guess "I" was the virus in that case. 🙂

Could we add a few links to the Forum regarding information about virus hoaxes? Even though it is not tickling related, it might be useful in the long run since we are sharing a lot of files, messages, and e-mails.

Just a thought...

Bye,

Knight Tickler

 

[WallStreet]

IMPORTANT

Hopefully the virus is a hoax. Regardless, I just spoke to Juggler and Nontkl. They both HAVE it on their computers.

 

[TicklingDuo]

HOAXBUSTERS

Here's a link that you can use to check these things out. They keep pretty well up-to-date on things. I've gotten the same virus warning from a couple people....though with differing time periods, etc. I'm pretty sure it was among the hoaxes when I first got is a few months back. The e-mailings themselves are what foul things up by slowing down the servers. There are plenty of these out there. So, always check them out before following the instructions.

Ann

 

[toneus79]

I have just checked my files (just to prove I didn't have it) and unbelievably there it was, dating back from 1999.

So much for 'Trend PCillin' anti virus software.

Thanks Wallstreet, I deleted it exactly as you instructed. However I now shudder to think what other viruses might be sitting dormant on my hard drive ?

 

[MadKalnod]

Get out your Windows Install disks if you've deleted the file, because you need it. Here's a link to the most comprehensive and reliable Uban Legend debunking page I know with the real story.

http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/sulfnbk.htm

I've lost count of how many times I've seen this hoary old web-chestnut resurface.

Incidentally, this is my 150th post.

 

[TicklingDuo]

just a thought....

If this virus that supposedly destroys harddrives after 14 days has been in your computer for so long....doesn't it raise any questions. Those that originated this warning and began sending it around may well have cosen an insignificant file that's on most computers and are having people delete it. Caution should be exercised in doing things like this. If in doubt...CHECK IT OUT FIRST!!! You could be deleting a file that affects the operation of your system.

Ann

 

[Latin_Boy]

COMPLETE HOAX

Yes, this is a complete HOAX. Of course, I don't doubt Wallstreet's good intentions, but this message has been circulating in e-mail for a LONG time. In fact, our e-commerce project was on viruses; I can tell you what you actually need this file for, but the explanation is too long. Just ignore all the messages to delete it. The link to Snopes that MadKalnod provided is probably the best to check out.

In fact, you actually NEED this file on your computer, so if you deleted it, go the the symantec.com website to see how to restore it. If you haven't done so yet, DO NOT delete it. This is an important file to have; TRUST ME

Latin_Boy

 

[TicklingIsLife]

So is this a hoax? 😱 😱

 

[TicklingDuo]

TIL....yes, unfortunately, it is.

 

[TicklingIsLife]

Ohhhhhhh..............

Thanks for the heads up anyways 😀

 

[WallStreet]

VERY SORRY

Sorry about the false alarm. I've edited my top post to avoid further confusion. To explain my hasty declaration: I didn't find out about this virus until midnight last night when I was about to go to bed. The friend who thought he had passed it to me thought that he had gotten it from his brother who lives in Israel. With all that's going on in the middle east I found it very easy to believe that the virus was real, especially after I saw the ugly little black icon. This file is not absolutely vital, nor is it hard to upload again, and I see someone has already posted a link to do so.
My intentions were good and I again apologize if I scared anybody. If it wasn't so late last night I would have done my due diligence before I passed on the information. My only thought was that of TMF members losing their hard drives.

 

[toneus79]

Thanks a F****** Million Wallstreet. Any More B******T computer information you have, don't hesitate to share it, you silly C***.

Unfortunately I no longer have an installation disc to restore this file, so in future when my computer fails to work properly, I shall be thinking of you.

 

[TicklingDuo]

WallStreet....I think we've all been in that position at one point or another. Your intentions were good. It's EVERYONE'S responsibility to check these things out...no matter who we got them from. I've gotten it from several friends myself. This just shows us how vigilant we need to be...again, no matter WHO we get things from.

toneus79...While I understand that you're upset, he DID mean well and it's your responsibility to check things as much as his before taking action. LatinBoy posted the following that should help you to restore your file. Consider it a learning experience.

In fact, you actually NEED this file on your computer, so if you deleted it, go the the symantec.com website to see how to restore it. If you haven't done so yet, DO NOT delete it. This is an important file to have; TRUST ME

Peace!
Ann

 

[Latin_Boy]

Toneus79,

You must calm down my friend. I may have also come accross incorrectly when I said you NEED this file; I should have said you MAY need this file if you backup and restore data a lot.
What the SULFNBK utility does is restore long file names. Let's say, for example, that you send an attachement of "The paper I've been working on -- Version 1.doc" The person downloading this is probably going to get a renamed version of this file; something like "ThprIbwv~1.doc"; the renaming here was done by Sulfnbk. These are called 8.3 File Names. Basically, Windows supports up to 255 characters, but it compresses names to store more information.

You don't need SULFNBK for everyday uses, but it's nice if you have it. Follow this link to restore the file to your computer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q301316

Latin_Boy

 

[WallStreet]

Toneus recieved some bad info from me, so I'm not taking his attack personally. What I have instead done is pasted it to an e-mail that I sent to the boob who gave me the bad info in the first place.
I like the way Tickling Duo reworded the old "fool who follows the fool" proverb. My lack of computer workings is well documented on this forum.

 

[qjakal]

An oldie..

Sigh..this one caught both my sister and mother before I could get back to them and tell them to leave it alone. As someone else said, it's been around for quite awhile now, and it owes its success to that nasty black "icon"...it gives the impression that it's evil and viruslike, so of course its very easy to buy into the logic. I didn't even bother restoring it on their computers...odds of needing it are slim to none, and you can just remember to keep your file names reasonably named. Q

 

[shark]

Hey Wallstreet,
I did the EXACT same thing on this forum a few months ago.This hoax was started last May and keeps making the rounds.Enough people fell for it that McAfee developed a fix for it.It is in a prior post somewhere in back postings here.

 

[kurchatovium]

Wallstreet, lots of people have made the same mistake. Like I said in my earlier post even supposed experts get fooled by hoaxes some time. So don't feel guilty about it, your heart was in the right place. The file is easily replaced even if you don't have a backup disk you can generally do it by following the directions that microsoft gives for fixing the problem. The link to that microsoft site is in the link that I posted earlier. Hope this is helpful.

 

[CJCJ]

I got burned by the virus hoax and completely erased the file. Anyone know where I can download the sulfnbk from?

Thanx,

Craig

 

[TickledToDeath]

LatinBoy posted a link above in this thread where you can go to take care of this. Also if your system has a "restore files" feature, use that to restore your files to an earilier date anytime prior to the time you erased that file and your system will be back to normal.

TTD