On 17 December, the Times of India published a story headlined: "Microsoft Warning: Virus Alert!"; which details the "deadliest virus ever" that travels in emails with the subject "A Virtual Card For You". Experienced support personnel will instantly recognise this as a well-known hoax that first appeared around January 2001, described on most anti-virus websites, e.g.:
- Sophos hoax description: A virtual card for you
- The Sector Zero/Virtual Card For You "Virus" Email Warning Is A Hoax
- MacAfee: A Virtual Card For You Hoax
- F-Secure Hoax Information Pages: Virtual Card for You hoax
The reporter concerned, Sharvari Joshi, demonstrates a lack of concern for journalistic standards by "quoting" both Microsoft and McAfee from the hoax, without checking with the actual companies concerned.
In the same article, the statement "It's a proven fact that 60 per cent of all these virus outbreaks are caused by someone in the anti-virus company, so that their latest vaccines can sell. That's why I believe that there's no reason to panic, since the companies will definitely come out with a counter-solution." is attributed to Deepak Shikarpur, computer expert and chairperson of Computer Society of India.
If this is the viewpoint of the Computer Society of India, then the Society is showing deplorable ignorance of the ethical standards that anti-virus companies adhere to and require of their employees. They should immediately publish their proof. However, perhaps it is more likely that this outrageous statement is another example of Sharvari Joshi's "professionalism".