Mysterious phenomenon 12111

This panic spread to millions of Internet users worldwide. Popular and harmless "ICQ" (system of rapid text-messaging) in the last 24 hours has become almost the most dangerous "virtual weapon."

The entire fault mysterious interlocutor with digital named "12111", which autocratically appears in lists of contacts. He provoked disturbing and unbelievable rumors: Is this something malicious Internet virus, or - regular promotions new Hollywood movie.

NTV correspondent Vladimir Kobyakov venture to include your computer to gain insight into the situation.

To struggle with the new virus to prepare hundreds of thousands of Russians. News about computer attacks per day overflew the entire Internet. The number 12111 was the main enemy. Most blogs unfolding debate as to defend against the virus.

"That's probably dosidelas I ICQ. Today has contact with the magic number 12111" - outraged the girl.

"A troyanchik, or how it even called? Under number 12111 - the number of ICQ System, which adds a couple of characters password, or thieves," - tells a different user.

"It is already known virus, friend, who works there, said recently broken their base. No need to defer, for almost half a million lost their rooms," - explains the second user.

On the Internet you can even find a detailed description of how a new virus erases information from computers, steals passwords. espokoyno even become specialists from major companies. His staff sends a warning that if you find 12111, then remove it urgently.

Pavel Beskrovny, a system administrator: "panic among Internet users rarely happens, but it is just a case where virtually all started to panic."

Now version and that this large-scale theft of passwords. On the Net meets this type of fraud. For refund password usually require 50 to 100 dollars.

Internet concern aroused program ICQ, as it is also called ICQ. This is one of the most popular service to exchange instant messages. In Russia it has enjoyed more than two million people and nearly 90 percent of them received a new mysterious interlocutor under the pseudonym 12111.

He has already called the frightening number of World Wide Web and intruders. And now, dialing 12111, can be intimidating familiar Internet users. The first started to calm Russian anti-virus laboratory specialists.

Vitaly Kamlyuk, a leading analyst viral Kaspersky Labs: "Yesterday our laboratory warned that no virus for ICQ not. Therefore, we recommend that users not to panic and to take no immediate action."

When it became clear that 12111 still do no harm to anyone, became wonder who is beneficial such panic. On the Internet comes a letter in which the entire accuse filmmaker Timur Bekmambetova. This alleged hidden advertising company his new film.

Bekmambetov already once used during the "viral marketing". He distributed via the Internet movie, in which the camera surveillance withdrawn office revolt. But then confessed that it was merely an advertising move.

Now suspect that Bekmambetov tested a new means of advertising - computer psevdovirus.

Q: "Tell me, the figures 12111 in your movie does not appear?"

Timur Bekmambetov, director: "You know, no, in my opinion, these figures do not. Tam figures appear in the movie, but not these."

Company owner ICQ very late interrupted its silence. At the official site of a small ad: "12111 - this is not a virus."

"This has been done to improve communication with users and move to the new version of our program. We are confident this will only benefit, and you still can easily communicate with anyone and anywhere in the world," - said the report.

Internet users are still discussing the phenomenon of 12111. Someone am sure that this is being implemented by secret weapon against spam, someone proves that the suspect is a technical glitch. But 12111 in any case now will go down in history as a model of Internet panic.