SULFNBK VIRUS HOAX FIX !

From: Eric Giblock (egiblock@runbox.com)
Date: Fri Jun 01 2001 - 13:04:15 EDT


Hello to All who read this.

Working for Customer Service for a computer company I received about 20
calls today saying "i deleated this file called SULFNBK.EXE from my
computer, what do i do now to fix my computer?"

Well here's the truth to the VIRUS HOAX and how to fix the problem.

I would suggest forwarding this email to everyone you know so that no more
damage occurs, and if the damage is done, at least they can fix the problem
now.

Please print out this email message for future reference. I have broken
this email into to parts:
 1) WHAT IS SULFNBK.EXE
 2) HOW TO FIX YOUR COMPUTER IF YOU DELETED THE SULFNBK.EXE FILE

If you still have trouble restoring the SULFNBK.EXE file using the
instructions below please send an email message to egiblock@runbox.com with
a subject line of SEND SULFNBK.EXE and I will send you the file via email.

--==--
Eric Giblock
egiblock@runbox.com

********************************************************
1) WHAT IS SULFNBK.EXE ??

Just what is SULFNBK.EXE? It's a utility shipped as part of the Windows 98
operating system that allows users to restore long file names. Thus, anyone
using the Windows 98 operating system would find this file on their system.
If the hoax were received by these users, and believed, many might delete
the file thinking their antivirus software had somehow failed to detect the
virus. In fact, it wouldn't be the first time signature-based scanners
failed to detect a new virus, making the entire hoax even easier to believe.
If you aren't confused yet, you should be. Hoaxes survive simply by causing
confusion. They provide just enough real sounding information to guarantee a
pretty high degree of faith. The more believable, the more users willing to
pass it along. Hence hoaxes are very much like a manually driven virus,
relying on the user to deliberately pass along the "infection". In the case
of the SULFNBK.EXE warning there's a double whammy: as users pass it along,
it clogs email servers and drains resources; and those who delete it may
need the file at some point. Worse, this could be a stepping stone to a new
trend in hoax writing - targeting necessary system files, warning of dire
consequences and instructing users to immediately delete them. If the right
files were targeted, users following the warning's instructions could find
themselves worse off than if a "real" virus had hit. In other words, hoaxes
may soon be featuring malicious payloads deliberately executed by the
gullible and unsuspecting user.

********************************************************
2) HOW TO FIX YOUR COMPUTER IF YOU DELETED THE SULFNBK.EXE FILE

Following are the steps to take to restore SULFNBK.EXE from your Windows 98
operating system CD. You will want to have your Windows 98/Me operating CD
in the CD-ROM drive bay. If the program autoruns (launches), just click
Exit.
Windows 98/Me includes a handy tool known as the System File Checker which
can be used to restore damaged or deleted files. To open SFC, click "Start"
| "Run" and type "SFC" without the quotes. Click "OK". System File Checker
will launch a dialogue box with two choices. Choose "Extract one file from
installation disk".
In the "Specify the system file you would like to restore" box, type
"sulfnbk.exe" (without the quotes). Click "Start".
You will be prompted to specify the location that contains the file you want
to extract and the destination directory for that file. You will need to
input the "Restore from" location and the "Save file in" location.
"Restore from" will be the win98 folder on your Windows 98 operating system
CD. It is easiest and most accurate to use the "Browse" button to locate and
select the folder. The "Save file in" destination folder is the Windows
directory and Command subdirectory. For example,
C:\WIN98\COMMAND
When both boxes have been filled in, click OK. You should receive a message
stating "The file has been successfully extracted". Click OK and close any
remaining SFC dialog boxes.
One final note, if you're one of the unfortunate who purchased a computer
that comes with the notorious "Restore CD" only, you probably will not be
able to use that CD to restore the file (or install new hardware, or
update/replace drivers, or do much of anything except restore your system to
factory defaults). Contact your computer vendor and ask them to send you a
true copy of the Windows 98 operating system that you purchased with your
system. Oh... and good luck getting them to send it.
********************************************************

--
------------------
Eric Giblock



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