How the Conficker worm gained in perceived threat
Everybody on the net got scared of the Conficker worm, and it got much press, including the New York Times.
Bruce Scheier wrote about Conficker, and this quote caught my attention:
Conficker’s April 1st deadline was precisely the sort of event we humans tend to overreact to. It’s a specific threat, which convinces us that it’s credible.
The deadline is an honest signal according to the handicap principle. By mentioning a specific date, the worm is exposing itself. This exposure is more costly in terms of credibility if the worm does not subsequently perform, and therefore adds to its perceived menace.