Description
On 1 April 1999, a message circulated claiming that the
Melissa virus
had been modified to create a new virus, called 'Tuxissa'.
The message claimed that this virus, once activated, would
install Linux on the target computer.
The hoax virus gets its name from Linux's logo – a penguin
called 'Tux'.
There are many clues to the fact that this message is a hoax – not
least the fact that the original date on the 'alert' is 1 April, the reporter
calls himself 'Humorix', and the claim that the 'virus' installs Linux
'invisibly in the background'.
No such virus currently exists. Although much technical information
is presented in the email to give the hoax credibility, the actual
details are clearly incorrect.