1. JDBGMGR (accounts for 14 per cent of all reports)--A hoax virus warning relating to the Microsoft debugger registrar for Java.
Verdict: The purported seriousness of this virus warning has been eating up bandwidth worldwide. If you receive such a warning check with your anti-virus firm before mailing it out to everybody you know. They are invariably a hoax.
2. Budweiser frogs (6.9 per cent)--Another hoax virus warning: "Someone is sending out a very desirable screen-saver of the Budweiser Frogs. But if you download it, you will lose everything..."
Verdict: Be careful whenever downloading anything - and don't do it if you can't vouch for the source. Also, don't download croaking frog screensavers - they take up too much space, they are very 1997 and they weren't even very funny back then.
3. 'A virtual card for you' (6.2 per cent)--Another hoax virus warning: "It sends itself automatically to all contacts on your list with the title "A Virtual Card for You..."
Verdict: Again, this sounds more plausible than most--so check with somebody such as Sophos to see if it is a hoax or real--in this case it's fake, but it's best to make sure.
4. Hotmail hoax (6.0 per cent)--Purports to be from the Hotmail staff: "All you have to do is forward this on to at least 10 registered Hotmail users" or you will have your Hotmail account closed down.
Verdict: No scam, no fraud, just a rubbish attempt to clog up mail servers--and in fourth place it seems to be working
5. Nigerian money scam (5.9 per cent)--See (www.silicon.com/a55205) for more.
Verdict: You're looking after the money of the deposed king of Nigeria you say. And I'm the Queen of Sheeba.
6. Bill Gates' fortune (3.9 cent)--"Bill Gates is sharing his fortune. When you forward this e-mail to friends, Microsoft can and will track it for a two week time period. For every person that you forward this email to, Microsoft will pay you $245."
Verdict: Yeah right. Would anybody really take this nonsense seriously? Clearly they do... hang your heads in shame all who have forwarded this...
7. Frog in a blender (3.7 per cent)--Blender.exe is a bandwidth sapping animation, spreading worldwide and clogging servers in the process.
Verdict: Does exactly what it says on the tin--which isn't very pleasant, but hardly damaging--that is until somebody uses its popularity to deliver a virus on the back of its infamy. Always be careful when downloading or opening any .exe file.
8. JS/Exploit (2.7 per cent)--According to Sophos "JS.Exploit is not a virus, but rather an exploit that takes advantage of a security vulnerability in some versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Outlook and Outlook Express."
Verdict: This 'virus warning' is billed by Sophos as more of a misunderstanding than a hoax. Get yourself on Microsoft's website and get patched... just in case.
9. Meninas da Playboy (2.4 per cent)--E-mail hoax: "Esse vírus foi descoberto na Argentina e esta se espalhando muito rapidamente pelo mundo todo." Indeed.
Verdict: A Portuguese virus hoax which just goes to show it is possible to be gullible in a language other than English.
10. Mobile phone hoax (2.3 per cent)--A hoax virus warning with a twist--it's about mobile phones. "NOW THERE IS A VIRUS ON MOBILE PHONE SYSTEMS. If you receive a phone call and your phone displays "UNAVAILABLE" on the screen DON'T ANSWER THE CALL. END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY!!!
Verdict: More nonsense preying upon users' techno-fears. Don't worry, your Nokia is quite safe.
Will Sturgeon is a writer for silicon.com.
