Tuxissa virus

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.

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.