Description
This hoax appears to have been started as a prank, but has caused
genuine concern amongst some users. The text of the hoax reads
as follows:
VIRUS WARNING
This virus warning is genuine.
There is a new virus going around, called "work." If you receive any sort
of "work" at all, whether via email, internet or simply handed to you by a
colleague...DO NOT OPEN IT.
This has been circulating around our building for months and those who
have been tempted to open "work" or even look at "work" have found that
their social life is deleted and their brain ceases to function properly.
If you do encounter "work" via email or are faced with any "work" at all,
then to purge the virus, send an email to your boss with the words "I've
had enough of your crap... I'm off to the pub." The "work" should
automatically be forgotten by your brain. If you receive "work" in
paper-document form, simply lift the document and drag the "work" to your
garbage can. Put on your hat and coat and skip to the nearest bar with two
friends and order three pints of beer (or rum punch). After repeating this
action 14 times, you will find that "work" will no longer be of any
relevance to you and that "Scooby Doo" was the greatest cartoon ever.
Send this message to everyone in your address book. If you do NOT have
anyone in your address book, then I'm afraid the "work" virus has already
corrupted your life.
Another version of the hoax reads as follows:
Beware, Voyeurwebbers! There is a dangerous virus being passed
electronically, orally and by hand.
This virus is called Worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you
receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss or anyone else via any
means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life
completely.
If you should come into contact with WORK put your jacket on and take two
good friends to the nearest pub. Purchase the antidote known as
Work-Isolator-Neutralizer-Extractor (WINE). The quickest acting WINE type
is called Swift-Hitting-Infiltrator-Remover-All-Zones (SHIRAZ) but this is
only available for those who can afford it. The next best equivalent is
Cheapest-Available-System-Killer (CASK). Take the antidote repeatedly until
WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.
Forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends, you have
already been infected and WORK is controlling your life. This virus is
DEADLY(Destroys-Every-Available-Decent-Living-Youngster).
Update 05-05-05: After extensive testing it has been concluded that
Best-Equivalent-Extractor-Remedy (BEER) may be substituted for WINE but may
require a more generous application.