Mark Genesis Gallardo

The following hoax is very similar to the "Yahoo instant message" hoax. The hoax, which has been spread via email and instant messaging, warns instant messaging users to be wary of adding someone to their buddy list.

The text of the hoax reads as follows:

If someone by the name of Mark Genesis Gallardo (rugbylegend) wants to add you to their list, don't accept it. It's a virus. Tell everyone on your list because if somebody on your list adds them you will get it too.

It is a hard drive killer and a very horrible virus. Please pass this on to everyone on your list. We need to find out who is using this account.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Right click on your group name of your buddy list and click Send Message to all. Copy and paste

Many virus hoaxes:

• falsely claim to describe an extremely dangerous virus
• use pseudo-technical language to make impressive-sounding (but impossible) claims
• falsely claim that the report was issued or confirmed by a well-known company
• ask you to forward it to all your friends and colleagues

As usual, you are urged not to pass on warnings of this kind, as the continued re-forwarding of these hoaxes simply wastes time and email bandwidth.

It is possible that you may receive a hoax via email with a file attached. Obviously, such file attachments should be treated with caution as they may be virus infected. Sophos recommends deleting virus hoax emails, whether they contain file attachments or not.

Sophos suggests a policy to help prevent hoaxes from spreading in your company.