Ed, always check with either Symantec (Norton) or MacAfee, or both, before you unwittingly perpetuate a hoax. According to the Hoax page at Symantec, this one has been around since January.

Another clue: read enough of these "virus alert" chain emails and you get to recognize certain common phrases and/or 'tones of voice'.

Finally: if you can't remember actually hearing about it on CNN, or whatever other news source is claimed in the email, chances are you haven't 'cause it wasn't there to be heard. Real viruses hit the newswires pretty damn fast these days, and are featured stories when they do.

E'