Cabir Virus First To Attack Cell Phones
Tue Jun 15, 4:34 PM ET Add Technology - NewsFactor to My Yahoo!
Erika Morphy, www.enterprise-security-today.com
It was only a matter of time before virus writers turned their attention to mobile devices; indeed, experts have been predicting the emergence of a worm attacking cell-phone operating systems for the last few years.
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A new virus has emerged, dubbed "Cabir," that can spread via cell phones -- the first such malicious code with that ability, according to Panda Software.
This malicious code spreads to devices that run under Symbian OS, which is used in many models of phones, including some manufactured by Nokia (news - web sites) (NYSE: NOK - news), Siemens (NYSE: SI - news) and Sony (NYSE: SNE - news) Ericcson.
The creators of Cabir have not designed the worm to propagate massively, but rather to demonstrate that these kinds of devices can be infected by malicious code.
"This is a proof of concept worm," Panda CTO Patrick Hinojosa told NewsFactor. "We won't see it spread very rapidly, because there are a number of physical limitations to keep it from mass replicating."
BlueTooth Connection
Cabir spreads in a file called "Caribe.sis," which installs itself automatically on the system when the user accepts the transmission. It displays a message on the screen with the text: "Caribe" and then starts a continuous search for other devices to send itself to, although these must be connected via Bluetooth technology.
Bluetooth's transmission range is 30 feet, he explains. The virus is only able to jump from phone to phone within that range. Also the phone must have the correct OS installed and the appropriate settings -- that is, it has to be set for a known number.
The Wait
On the other hand, Panda Software notes, it is possible that the Caribe.sis file copies itself to other devices using Bluetooth, such as some printers. In such cases, however, the worm would not be able to spread further.
"This is an interesting virus and one that we have been waiting for years to appear," Hinojosa says. He said the virus-protection community has speculated that a cell-phone worm would spread via a central point, such as a phone company. However, this new worm chose Bluetooth technology as its transmission vehicle.
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