Virus 'offers free tickets'
2005-05-03 12:34
Paris - Internet security firms on Tuesday issued a high-level alert to computer users about the spread of the "Worms_Sober.S" virus, which makes recipients believe they have won tickets to the 2006 Soccer World Cup.
Trend Micro placed the virus in its "red alert" category, saying that "using social engineering techniques, it sends out an e-mail supposedly sent by the soccer organisation Fifa," offering tickets to the 2006 tournament in Germany.
US firm McAfee classified the virus as a "medium risk", saying the e-mail message, written in German, "specifically targets German users".
But Trend Micro and Panda Software said the virus could be spread in either English or German. Panda said it had attacked computers in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.
The e-mail includes correct contact information for a Fifa official.
A previous version of the "Sober" virus made users think that their private e-mails had gone to the wrong address, prompting them to open an infected attachment.