Attention: Technology Editors

TOP TEN VIRUSES AND HOAXES REPORTED TO SOPHOS IN SEPTEMBER 2003: Gibe-F
reaches top spot by playing on security fears

Lynnfield- MA - October 1, 2003 - Sophos, a world leader in anti-virus
and anti-spam solutions for businesses, today announced the latest in a
series of monthly charts counting down the ten most frequently occurring
viruses and hoaxes as compiled by Sophos.

For September 2003, the chart is as follows, with the most frequently
occurring virus at number one:

1.  W32/Gibe-F       (Gibe variant)       23.5%   New Entry
2.  W32/Dumaru-A  (Dumaru virus)          18.1%
3.  W32/Mimail-A    (Mimail worm)         15.0%
4.  W32/Sobig-F     (Sobig variant)       5.6%
5.  W32/Nachi-A     (Nachi worm)          5.5%
6.  W32/Sobig-A     (Sobig worm)          4.4%
7.  W32/Bugbear-B (Bugbear variant)    	2.9%
8.  W32/Klez-H      (Klez variant)        2.7%   20 months in chart
9.  W32/Blaster-A  (Blaster worm)         2.7%
10. W32/Parite-B    (Parite variant)      1.3%

Others                                    18.3%

"Due to recent high profile virus outbreaks, users have become more
security conscious. However, Gibe-F, which took top position this month,
has shown that computer users' fears can play right into the hands of
cunning virus writers," said Chris Belthoff, senior security analyst at
Sophos, Inc. "Gibe-F poses as an email from Microsoft support, offering
security patches.  Computer users should remember that Microsoft does
not and would not send out emails of this nature."

"The fact that all four of last month's big hitters - Sobig-F, Blaster,
Mimail and Nachi - are still in the top ten, despite extensive media
coverage, is also concerning.  It means some people are still either
ignoring advisories to patch or are still oblivious to the threat,"
continued Belthoff.

Sophos analyzed and protected against 715 new viruses in September.  The
total number it now protects against is 84,992.

The top ten hoaxes reported to Sophos during September are as follows:

1.  Hotmail Hoax                          21.5%
2.  WTC Survivor                          14.9%
3.  JDBGMGR                               10.4%
4.  Meninas da Playboy                    8.0%
5.  Bonsai Kitten                         3.7%
6.  Budweiser frogs screensaver           3.6%
7.  A virtual card for you                3.1%
8.  Frog in a blender/Fish in a bowl      3.0%
9.  Bill Gates Fortune                    3.1%
10. The missing dollar                    2.2%   New Entry

Others                                    26.5%

"It was of no surprise that the September 11 themed 'WTC Survivor' hoax
moved up the chart.  While last month it only accounted for 7.9% of hoax
inquiries, in September it generated almost 15% of reports," said
Belthoff. "Hoaxes, which relate to a specific occasion, often experience
a rise in popularity around the time of the event. Since the event
happened two years ago, hopefully people will realize it's just a hoax."

Sophos has made available a free, constantly updated information feed
for intranets and websites, which means users can always find out about
the latest viruses and hoaxes: www.sophos.com/virusinfo/infofeed/

Graphics of the above Top Ten virus chart are available at:
www.sophos.com/pressoffice/imgallery/topten

For more information about safe computing, including anti-hoax policies,
please visit: www.sophos.com/safecomputing/


About Sophos
Sophos is a world leading developer of anti-virus and anti-spam
software.  The company protects businesses and organizations - from
small enterprises to academic and financial institutions to governments
and global corporations - against viruses and spam.  Sophos is acclaimed
for delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction and protection
in the industry.  The company's products are sold and supported in more
than 150 countries.  For more information please visit:
http://www.sophos.com.

Media and Analyst Inquiries:

Lori Pike
ActiveState, a division of Sophos
604.484.6417
LoriP@[...].com

Lorita Ba                           	
Horn Group, Inc.                 
781.356.7145                        	
lba@[...].com          	 

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