!0000 virus prevention tip

In 2001 users began to receive an email informing them about an alleged method to prevent email-aware worms from spreading by creating an address book entry called "!0000" (some variants of the chainletter suggest other entries). The email suggests that if the address book entry is an invalid email address the worm will fail to spread.

Sophos advises that there are many email-aware viruses which will not be prevented from spreading by using this technique and there is a danger that it will lead to a false sense of security inside your organisation.

If you receive this or a similar message, please do not forward it to your friends and colleagues. Forwarding unsolicited chain letters wastes time and bandwidth.