MADRID-Telefonica denied reports that a virus is getting into the mobile phones of its customers and sending rude messages about the company to phone screens.
U.S. computer specialists reported a worm-type virus called “Timofonica” has hit customers of Telefonica’s Movistar service. “Timo” means rip-off or prank in Spanish.
“The company has no reports of the existence of this virus, has not detected any type of problem in its systems and has not received any form of complaint from clients that has to do with the supposed virus,” said Telefonica in a statement.
The company admitted it is possible that a virus could send text messages to mobile phones, but the alleged virus could not affect Movistar’s phones or its e-mail server.
“The so-called Timofonica virus is typical of the newer email variety being spread via personal computers,” said James Moran, director of security for the GSM Association. “It is not capable of infecting or harming mobile phones, just as it is not possible of propogating further via mobile-to-mobile or mobile-to-computer transmission.”
