| Mobile Phone Virus | |||
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| Netlore Archive: While it is true as of this writing that at least one cell phone virus actually exists, emailed warnings circulating since 1999 impart false information about the nature of the threat | |||
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Variant #1:
Email example contributed by Stanley t., 18 May 1999:
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Subject: Mobile Phone Dear all mobile phone's owners, ATTENTION!!! NOW THERE IS A VIRUS ON MOBILE PHONE SYSTEM. All mobile phone in DIGITAL system can be infected by this virus. If you receive a phone call and your phone display "UNAVAILABLE" on the screen (for most of digital mobile phones with a function to display in-coming call telephone number), DON'T ANSWER THE CALL. END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY!!! BECAUSE IF YOU ANSWER THE CALL, YOUR PHONE WILL BE INFECTED BY THIS VIRUS. This virus will erase all IMIE and IMSI information from both your phone and your SIM card which will make your phone unable to connect with the telephone network. You will have to buy a new phone.
This information has been confirmed by both Motorola and Nokia.
For more
information, please visit Motorola or Nokia web sites:
There are over 3 million mobile phone being infected by this virus
in USA now. You can also check this news in CNN web site:
Please forward this information to all your friends who have
digital mobile phones.
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Variant #2:
Email example contributed by Nancy L., 7 January 2002:
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Subject: FW: For info. Please alert Attention - Everyone With A Mobile Phone This is not a joke. This is an early warning... If yo u receive a phone call and your mobile phone displays. ACE-? on the screen (for most of digital mobile phones with a function to display in-coming call telephone number). DON'T ANSWER THE CALL - END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU ANSWER THE CALL, YOUR PHONE WILL BE INFECTED BY THIS VIRUS. This virus will erase all IMIE and IMSI information from both your phone and your SIM card, which will make your phone unable to connect with the telephone network. You will have to buy a new phone. This information has been confirmed by both Motorola and Nokia. There are over 3 million mobile phones being infected by this virus in USA now. You can also check this news in the CNN website. Please forward this piece of information to all your friends who have digital mobile phones. |
Comments: While it is true as of this writing (February 2005) that at least one cell phone virus is known to exist in the wild and was recently detected in the United States, the information above is false and in no way pertains to the actual threat, which has been described by virus experts as "relatively innocuous" because it spreads slowly and isn't particularly destructive.
The hoax warnings have circulated for years, first surfacing well in advance of the actual discovery of the world's first mobile phone virus (or worm, more properly), "Cabir," in June 2004.
Please note that virtually all the information these warnings impart is false:
- Your phone will not be infected if you answer a call listed on the display as "UNAVAILABLE."
- Your phone will not be infected if you answer a call listed on the display as "ACE."
- The actual virus, Cabir, does not currently have the capacity to erase stored information from your phone or SIM card, nor affect your ability to connect with the network.
Sources and further reading:
Cell Phone Virus Hoax
F-Secure Hoax Information PagesCell Phone Virus Ringing
InternetNews.com, 15 June 2004First Cell Phone Virus in U.S.
Newsday, 22 February 2005Mobile Phone Virus Found in United States
Reuters, 22 February 2005
Last updated: 02/22/05
