Top ten viruses and hoaxes in November 2002, Sophos. (Virus Notes).

This is the latest in a series of monthly charts counting down the ten most frequently occurring viruses and hoaxes compiled by Sophos in November The virus chart is as follows, with the most frequently occurring virus at No 1

1. W32/Bugbear-A (Bugbear worm) 29.4%

2nd Month No 1

2. W32/Braid-A (Braid worm) 8.5%

New Entry

3. W32/Kiez-H (Kiez variant) 7.7%

10 Months Top Ten

4. W32/Opaserv-A (Opaserv worm) 5.4%

5. W32/Opaserv-C (Opaserv variant) 5.1%

6. W32/Flcss (FunLove worm) 4.6%

Re-entry

7. W95/Spaces (Spaces virus) 3.3%

Re-entry

8. W32/Opaserv-F (Opaserv variant) 2.5%

9. W32/Opaserv-B (Opgserv variant) 2.1%

10. W32/Opaserv-D (Opaserv variant)2.0%

Others: 29.4%

Comment:

Bugbear dominates the chart for the second month as it continues to out-fox users with its dual mode of attack - this worm can spread via email and network shares. It's important that all users ensure they are protected against Bugbear because it implants code that can log victims' keystrokes. This means hackers have a perfect view of everything you type - this could include passwords, bank account details and credit card numbers. Also making a big impact this month was the new Braid worm. This is an email aware worm with an attachment. However, if the recipient's system is left unpatched against a Microsoft vulnerability, the virus can run automatically, as soon as the offending email is opened Alongside keeping anti-virus protection up to date, Sophos reminds users to patch against all known vulnerabilities and be suspicious of all unsolicited emails.

The FunLove worm and Spaces virus make chart comebacks even though protection against these threats was issued back in 1999.

Sophos detected 817 new viruses, worms and Trojan horses in November, the total number it now protects against is 78,381. The top ten hoaxes reported to Sophos during November 2002 are:

1. JDBGMGR 22.0%

2. Budweiser frogs screensaver 11.5%

3. Meninas la playboy 7.9%

4. Hotmail hoax 5.5%

5. A virtual card for you 5.0%

6. Bonsai kitten 3.5%

7. Mobile phone hoax 3.2%

8. Frog in a blender/fish in a bowl 2.8%

9. Bill Gates fortune 2.5%

10. WTC Survivor 2.1%

Others 34.0%

Comment:

All too often, users receiving email warnings of viruses circulate them to all their contacts in the mistaken belief they are doing good. In reality, these actions cause uncertainty, waste bandwidth, clog up email servers and spread disinformation. Instead, businesses should instruct all employees to send all such emails to a single, nominated person who is responsible for checking out whether the threat is real or fake.

www.sophos.com/virusinfo/infofeed/