Rumors of 10/10/10 virus are 'utter codswallop'

Rumors of 10/10/10 virus are 'utter codswallop'
Graham Cluley, a security expert at Sophos, has written about an Internet rumor that predicts a virus will spread across the Internet on October 10, 2010. More specific rumors say it will happen at exactly 10:10am. Of course, it sounds utterly ridiculous but the fact is these rumors do incite panic for some reason.

Cluley also had to debunk similar rumors back in 2003, when many believed a virus would start infecting computers on March 3rd, 2003. These dates are specific because of how they look: 10/10/10 and 03/03/03. "It's just the kind of scare that people love to murmur about, and share with their online friends, but I'm afraid it has no basis in fact," Cluley writes.



"The truth is that there is malicious software which triggers every day of the year - so worrying about one particular date or time is actually counter-productive, as it implies that you should take less care on other dates. The 10/10/10 rumour, just like the 03/03/03 one, is utter codswallop."

"And yes, I know that 101010 is binary for decimal 42 (the alleged answer to "Life, The Universe and Everything" if you're a fan of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy). But it's still not any reason to worry any more than normal!"

Written by: James Delahunty @ 9 Oct 2010 23:03
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  • 7 comments
  • trident77

    yeh just like the world will end in 2012. if people fall for this then they need help in their educational skills regarding basic computing security. this is just nonsensical. next please.

    9.10.2010 23:25 #1

  • ROMaster2

    Quote:yeh just like the world will end in 2012. if people fall for this then they need help in their educational skills regarding basic computing security. this is just nonsensical. next please.
    You'd be surprised the incredible amount of ignorance people have with computers. At the same time you can't blame them, some people don't use their computers much at all, but they should at least DO THE BLOODY RESEARCH.

    9.10.2010 23:32 #2

  • hikaricor

    codswallop? lol

    10.10.2010 00:05 #3

  • Pop_Smith

    Originally posted by hikaricor: codswallop? lol Codswallop is British slang for nonsense.

    http://www.megavideo.com/?v=V1VZAD0O <-- Brian Regan "Take Luck" video.

    "The only people who should buy Monster cable are people who light cigars with Benjamins." - Gizmodo

    10.10.2010 01:27 #4

  • ivymike

    The Bible code predicts a comet will slam into the Earth in 2012. NASA is tracking a comet, Comet Wilde 2 which NASA says will intersect with Earth's orbit in 2012.

    The Bible code was decyphered through the use of computers.

    Hindsight is 20/20.

    10.10.2010 04:01 #5

  • jam_k

    Guys, you need to take this more seriously... I wasn't paying attention this morning and I happened to turn my PC on at 10:10, and now I'm screwed.

    All of my documents where translated into Swahili
    My TV will now only record "Gigli"
    my iPod will only play Jethro Tull
    It emailed my grandmother all of my porn...

    I tried to go back to bed, but now it is telling me knock-knock jokes while I'm trying to sleep...

    I'm going to go bury my PC in a forty-three-foot hole.... heed my warning!

    10.10.2010 13:54 #6

  • lissenup2

    Originally posted by ivymike: The Bible code predicts a comet will slam into the Earth in 2012. NASA is tracking a comet, Comet Wilde 2 which NASA says will intersect with Earth's orbit in 2012.

    The Bible code was decyphered through the use of computers.

    Hindsight is 20/20.
    I'm sorry Afterdawn for having to say this but it needs to be said.

    Ivymike.................you are a fanatical and gullible idiot.

    10.10.2010 18:27 #7

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