Hoax Chain Mails Spreading Wrong Facts about Mars

The security experts of Sophos, a security firm, have cautioned not to forward a chain letter, which is troubling the users every August from the past four years (2003-2007).

In the last few days, Sophos has observed an increment in the number of chain letter called Giant Mars from PC users. The mail reported that the Red Planet, Mars, would pass close to the Earth on 27th August 2007.

The letter says that the Mars is about to be wonderful and starts like this - this month and next, the Earth and the Mars will share a spectacular proximity in the recorded history. The next period in which Mars will come close to the Earth is accounted to be in 2287. As the Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and disturbs its orbit, many astronomers have predicted that the incident has happened almost after 5,000 years. But, they have also declared that it may take another 60,000 years before it happens again.

Senior Technology Consultant, Graham Cluley, at Sophos, said that chain letters, such as this, could be easily passed to family, friends, etc. People tend to believe these stories, simply just they are repeated very often, as per a statement published in Government technology on August 8, 2007.

Graham further added that the hoax and chain letters like Giant Mars are not risk-free, they waste bandwidth and time and makes support department see red. He also suggested that the users should be more careful and should watch that the information of these chain letters is true or not.

Further, Sophos claimed that in August 2003, the Earth and the Mars passed each other very closely and this kind of proximity is noted almost after 60,000 years. However, this kind of chain mails circulates across the Web world every August. But it is advised to the users to simply delete this kind of mail and not to forward them anywhere and to anyone.

Cluley explained that till August 27, 2007, Internet would be surrounded with several copies of these chain letters, and after that, it would be pacified, at least, till next year i.e. 2008.

Related article: Hack.Huigezi Virus Attacks China PCs Rapidly

» SPAMfighter News - 8/21/2007