RUFFCUT

RUFFCUT was a dangerous file-sharing computer virus which caused issues in 2005 Earth.

Nature

RUFFCUT was a malignant computer virus which, after scanning a victim user's preferences, would masquerade as a desirable file (such as pirated material) that the user would download; if downloaded, the virus would unleash a "catastrophic payload". This involved slowing down the Internet and shutting down the networks of many businesses. (PROSE: Computer Virus File Sharing Alert ^[+]Loading...["Computer Virus File Sharing Alert (short story)"])

History

On 10 March 2005, within the final hour of the four hours of the virus becoming active, RUFFCUT brought down a hospital, three government departments across Europe, and the traffic systems in Lisbon. In a press briefing released by UNIT, Lt. D Judd spoke about the dangers and warned everyone to not download any pirated material. (PROSE: Computer Virus File Sharing Alert ^[+]Loading...["Computer Virus File Sharing Alert (short story)"])

Behind the scenes

RUFFCUT may have been an indirect response to the real world case of early versions of the first episode of series one, Rose, being pirated online, especially as the virus's name mirrors "rough cut", which was the state of Rose which was pirated.