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F-Secure Hoax Information Pages: Cell Phone hoax

[Summary] | [Detailed Description]

Name : Cell Phone hoax
Alias:ACE, XALAN, Cell Phone virus hoax
Type:Hoax
Category:Hoax
Platform:Win32
Radar

Summary
This is a series of hoax messages warning about fictitious mobile phone viruses. The viruses described in these messages do not exist and they have nothing to do with real mobile phone viruses such as Cabir or Commwarrior.
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Detailed Description
Below are the example of the messages.

Examples of the messages:

All mobile users pay attention!!!!!!!!!

If you receive a phone call and your mobile phone displays
(XALAN) on the screen don't answer the call, END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY,
if you answer the call,your phone will be infected by a virus.
This virus WILL ERASE all IMEI 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 all around the world now. You can also check this news in the CNN web site.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS HAVING A MOBILE PHONE.


Another version:

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.
Formore information, please visit Motorola or Nokia web
sites: http://www.mot.com or http://www.nokia.com.

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:http://www.cnn.com.

Hope new virus won't attack our TV in future.


Yet another version:

Dear All,

If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person,
saying that, he or she is a company engineer, or telling that
they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press # 90
or #09 or any other number. End this call immediately without
pressing any numbers. There is a fraud company using a device
that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your "SIM" card
and make calls at your expense.

All mobile users pay attention if you receive a phone call and
your mobile phone displays (XALAN) on the screen don't answer
the call, END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY, if you answer the call,
your phone will be infected by a virus..

This virus will erase all IMEI 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.


Another version of the hoax from February 2002

VERY IMPORTANT.....????
If you received 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 web site.
Please forward this piece of information to all your
friends who have digital mobile phones.

Please ignore these warnings and do not pass it on.


[Description updated: Mikko Hypponen & Jarno Niemela, F-Secure, July 2005]
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F-Secure Corporation

Last Modified: January 01, 2006