Over 18 months after it first appeared, a hoax email warning
about a non-existent virus dubbed WTC Survivor continues to
cause problems for computer users worldwide.
The hoax email, which is unwittingly forwarded by unsuspecting
computer users to their friends and colleagues, warns not to open
any emails with the subject line "WTC Survivor". The warning claims
that if such emails are opened the recipient's entire C: drive will
be wiped.
The hoax has recently had a resurgence in popularity, after a
newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates mistakenly published a
warning believing the hoax to be true. As a consequence, Sophos
experts report that WTC Survivor appears to be currently the most
prevalent email hoax in circulation on the internet -overtaking the
hoax which held the long term number one position, JDBGMGR.
"Obviously whenever a media organisation endorses a hoax it
gives the hoax extra credibility and more people are likely to
believe it," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for
Sophos Anti-Virus. "Users should be suspicious of virus warnings
they receive via email, and double-check them with reputable
anti-virus organisations before forwarding them onto
colleagues."
The top ten hoaxes reported to Sophos during March 2003 are as
follows:
Sophos has made available a free, constantly updated information feed for intranets and
websites which means users can always find out about the latest
viruses and hoaxes.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.