Encyclopedia

PANDEMIC COMPUTER VIRUS

 
Threat LevelLow threatDamageHighDistributionNot widespread
Common name:PANDEMIC COMPUTER VIRUS
Technical name:Pandemic Computer Virus
Threat level:Medium
Alias:Microshaft
Type:Hoax
Effects:  It generates a false alarm by reporting that Windows 95 is infected with a virus.

First detected on:Sept. 24, 2002
Detection updated on:Sept. 24, 2002
StatisticsNo

Brief Description 

    

Pandemic Computer Virus is not a virus; it is a hoax or an e-mail message that tricks users into thinking that a new virus called Microshaft is spreading, which doesn’t actually exist.

Pandemic Computer Virus tries gain users’ confidence by making them believe that the information was issued by a company specializing in antivirus software.

Its aim is to cause alarm and get users to forward the message.

In order to avoid problems, disregard this information, as it is completely false. You should also immediately delete the message, without forwarding it to anyone.

 

Visible Symptoms 

    

Pandemic Computer Virus arrives in an apparently normal e-mail message, but which can be identified by its message. The message text always refers to a virus called Microshaft, which supposedly affects Windows 95.

Last updated:  24/09/2002 

Virus News

3/10/09.-More than 10 Million Worldwide Were Actively Exposed to Identity Theft in 2008

3/5/09.-Cyber-crooks manipulate Internet searches to sell fake antivirus products

3/2/09.-VideoPlay adware infections grew 400% in February through malicious use of Web 2.0 pages

[+ Noticias]