Hoax Warnings


	Alphabetical Index

NAME:	ICE hoax
ALIAS:	In Case of Emergency phone hoax

Summary

People are being urged to add a new entry to their mobile phones with the name "ICE" (acronym for 'In Case of Emergency').

The idea is that if you're hurt, rescuers can easily figure out who they should contact - by calling the 'ICE' number from your phone (assuming they can access it).

However, now somebody has started a chain-letter email warning against such practice, because a mobile phone virus might exploit it. This is nonsense. No viruses to exploit the "ICE" number exist.

Here's an example of a typical hoax message:

---Begin Hoax Text -------------------------------------------

  To all those who received a copy of the e-mail recommending that the
  word ICE be added to their phones address book (In case of emergency
  contact). I can not say for sure that information I have received
  this morning is legitimate, but better to warn you all.

  I am very sorry to report that some small minded idiot has created a
  text message that is being sent out randomly to mobile phone users,
  this text has a programme included that searches your phones address
  book for the word "ICE" or "I.C.E" and if found, you are charged for
  a premium rate message.

  It is a real shame that this sort of abuse happens, could I please
  ask all of you that have added ICE to your phone address book to
  remove it immediately. I am very sorry for any inconvenience this
  might cause.

---End Hoax Text -------------------------------------------

Here's another version of this hoax message:

---Begin Hoax Text -------------------------------------------

  You know the email that's gone round saying put ICE then a contact
  number in case of emergency? Well don't do it cos....

  Be very careful with this one - although the intention is great it
  is unfortunately phase one of a phone based virus that is laying a
  path for propagating very quickly. Passing it on is part of the
  virus interestingly, such is the deviousness of the people who write
  these things.

  We have already seen the "second phase" where a program is sent as
  part of a ring-tone download that goes into your address book and
  looks for something it recognises - you've guessed it, an address
  book entry marked "ICE or I.C.E." or whatever. It then sends itself
  to the "ICE list", charging you for the privilege.

---End Hoax Text -------------------------------------------

Please ignore this hoax and don't pass it on.

Writeup: Mikko Hypponen, July 20th, 2005;

F-Secure Corporation