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Irina

The former head of Penguin publishing sent an email warning of a virus named Irina in an attempt to garner publicity for a book by the same name. The text follows:

FYI

There is a computer virus that is being sent across the Internet.

If you receive an e-mail message with the subject line "Irina", DO NOT read the message. DELETE it immediately. Some miscreant is sending people files under the title "Irina". If you receive this mail or file, do not download it. It has a virus that rewrites your hard drive, obliterating anything on it. Please be careful and forward this mail to anyone you care about.

(Information received from the Professor Edward Prideaux, College of Slavonic Studies, London ).

Remember, hoaxes cost companies - and people - time and money. Please do not forward them to others.