July 1st, 2007
Eager Harry Potter Fans Get a Worm Instead of a Sneak Preview
By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
The potential fate of Harry Potter in his final book is a matter of great speculation. Fans who have opened an email purporting to have a sneak preview of the end have been getting a worm instead, and not the tidbits of information they wanted. (And BTW, why do people continue to click on these things?)
Security companies have intercepted an e-mail promising a copy of ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ — which is not due for release until July 21. But rather than getting a sneak preview of the book, impatient muggles who click on the file will instead find their PC infected by the W32/Hairy-A worm. Source: PC World
We Say: Recently a hacker also said he had the ending to the book, achieved by hacking into computers that held the manuscript. Hmm … does all the hype and attention over this book remind you of a certain electronic device recently launched? 
Graham Cluley says:
The Hairy (Harry Potter) worm does not spread via email. It infects you when you attach an already-infected USB drive and allow it to auto-run. Some media are claiming the email element, but there is no mention of that on the Sophos website.
Regards
Graham Cluley, Sophos
July 1st, 2007 at 1:10 am
John Corliss says:
Introducing….. the iPotter.
July 1st, 2007 at 3:09 am
Mike says:
I think getting the worm would be better than admitting you got an iphone :p
Mike
Doesnt everyone use virus protection now a days? If not - disconnect from the internet, and never let anyone touch your computer.
July 1st, 2007 at 4:18 am
Iliana says:
hi nice post, i enjoyed it
August 18th, 2007 at 3:43 pm