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"Virus Hoax:
Malicious Code Example"
Virus Hoax Warnings: Page 3
of 39
Irina Virus Hoax
The "Irina" virus warnings are a hoax. The former head of an
electronic publishing company circulated the warning to create
publicity for a new interactive book by the same name. The
publishing company has apologized for the publicity stunt that
backfired and panicked Internet users worldwide. The original
warning claimed to be from a Professor Edward Pridedaux of the
College of Slavic Studies in London; there is no such person or
college. However, London's School of Slavonic and East European
Studies has been inundated with calls. This poorly thought-out
publicity stunt was highly irresponsible. For more information
pertaining to this hoax, reference the UK Daily Telegraph at
http://www.telegraph.co.uk. The original hoax message is as follows:
FYI There is a computer virus that is being sent across the
Internet. If you receive an e-mail message with the subject line
"Irina", DONOT read the message. DELETE it immediately. Some
miscreant is sending people files under the title "Irina". If you
receive this mail or file, do not download it. It has a virus that
rewrites your hard drive, obliterating anything on it. Please be
careful and forward this mail to anyone you care about.
( Information received from the Professor Edward Prideaux, College
of Slavonic Studies, London ).
Copyright 2004 by Jay Jennings
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