The Symantec AntiVirus Research Center (SARC) is committed to providing swift, global response to computer virus threats, proactively researching and developing technologies that eliminate such threats, and educating the public on safe computing practices.

The following virus hoax has been found in broad distribution over the past few days. Please read the description carefully and discount any messages received regarding it.

For information on other virus hoaxes, see:

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html

This "virus" does not exist.

"Time Bomb" is not a virus; it is a complete hoax. It is a hoax. The "virus" does not exist. There is currently no virus that has the characteristics ascribed to " Time Bomb." It is a sham, meant only to panic new or inexperienced computer users.

The message includes the following "warning:"

There is a macro virus going off on Oct 1!!! All computers installed with Windows 95 are installed with this virus. It is a time bomb virus. Microsoft has already apologized for the mass breakdown of computers around the world on that day. However they had yet to come up with a remedy. Some versions of Win95 are safe but some are not.

Please Be Careful, and forward to all your on-line friends A.S.A.P. not a lot of people know about it, just let everyone know, so they won't be a victim. Please forward this e-mail.

Please ignore any messages regarding this supposed "virus" and do not pass on any messages regarding it. Passing on messages about this hoax serves only to further propagate it.

This week, the latest versions of our award winning anti-virus products are available on retail shelves. In addition to our new Bloodhound virus detection technology, we have added a feature called Live Update Email. This new feature allows users of Norton AntiVirus version 4.0 for Windows 95 and NT to launch LiveUpdate right from within their email program, and immediately install the latest virus definitions. The new Live Update Email trigger file will become a standard part of future SARC AntiVirus News Updates.

For those customers interested in upgrading to our latest versions and obtaining these awesome new features, you can call Symantec Customer Service at (800) 441-7234 (United States/Canada) or your local Symantec sales office.