Gibe-F reaches top spot by playing on security fears
This is the latest in a series of monthly charts counting down
the ten most frequently reported viruses and hoaxes as compiled by
Sophos, a global leader in anti-virus and anti-spam protection for
businesses.
For September 2003, the chart is as follows, with the most
frequently occurring virus at number one:
"With recent high profile virus outbreaks, people have become
more security conscious. But Gibe-F, which shot to pole position
this month, has shown that computer users' fears can play right
into the hands of crafty virus writers," said Graham Cluley, senior
technology consultant at Sophos Anti-Virus. "Gibe-F poses as an
email from Microsoft support, offering security patches. Computer
users should remember that Microsoft does not and would not send
out emails of this nature."
"The fact that all four of last month's big hitters - Sobig-F,
Blaster, Mimail and Nachi - are still in the top ten, despite
extensive media coverage, is also worrying. It means some people
are still either ignoring calls to patch or are still oblivious to
the threat," continued Cluley.
Sophos analysed and protected against 715 new viruses in
September. The total number it now protects against is 84,992.
The top ten hoaxes reported to Sophos during September are as
follows:
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.