Question

You've just received an email message explaining that a new and serious malicious code threat is ravaging across the internet. The message contains detailed information about the threat, its source code, and the damage it can inflict. The message states that you can easily detect whether or not you have already been a victim of this threat by the presence of three files in the \Windows\System32 folder. As a countermeasure, the message suggests that you delete these three files from your system.

In response to this message, which action should you take first?

Answer 1

First, verify the authenticity of the email about the malicious code threat; do not delete any files, as it could be a scareware or hoax. Use trusted resources to check for threats.

Step-by-step explanation:

In response to a message about a new malicious code threat suggesting the deletion of files from the \Windows\System32 folder, the first action you should take is to verify the authenticity of this message. Do not delete any files as this can potentially harm your system if the information is not from a reliable source. Often, such emails are a form of scareware or hoax designed to trick users into taking harmful actions on their computers. Instead, consult reputable security websites, contact your IT department if you're part of an organization, or use trusted antivirus software to scan your system for any threats.