Cellphone Virus

[Raven_Writer]

A virus has struck Nokia smartphone users. Once downloaded, the virus, called Skulls, replaces all phone desktop icons with images of a skull.

It also renders all phone applications, including SMSs and MMSs, useless.

While Skulls is not the first virus to affect smartphones, it is the first malicious one to do so.

Earlier this year a lab virus called Cabir was unleashed on cellphones in a controlled experiment that was aimed at assessing the impact such an act could have on cellphone users.

Spread by Bluetooth, a short-range radio link used by most high-end cellphones to exchange phonebook entries, images and ringtones, the proof-of-concept worm installed itself before politely asking if it may be allowed to propagate.

Skulls however behaves more like a computer virus - it arrives in the form of a Trojan disguised as a free phone wallpaper.

The program is labelled as a file called 7610.extended.theme.manager.zip.

So far the virus appears to affect only Nokia 7610 smartphones, the firm's first megapixel cameraphone.

Once installed the program replaces all the working applications, such as contacts, calendar, notebook, with non-working versions so the phone becomes almost useless. - Special Correspondent

Source: IOL

This isn't suprising to me...I knew it'd happen sooner or later.

[Dorienne]

Goodness! What is this world coming to?
Soon all PalmPilots will get viruses...*sigh*

[Heretic121]

actually dora, there are palm device virus's spreading on those with bluetooth on by default.

[Kyle Fenton]

I always thought that this would eventually happen.

But I am concern that these viruses will be more advance, and do some major damage.

Note: Most of things are very impractical at time, but as cell phones get faster and disk space, these things could happen.

1. Like the cell phone calling 1-900 numbers, and having the user not know that it is doing it

2. Burn up a person minutes, by making random phone calls

3. Taking your phonebook, and sending it to a spammer, where they could call you, or text message you, and waste your minutes and time

4. Making it ring at random times

5. Having it record your conversation

I believe that this should be a wake up call to cell phone companies, to make sure as cell phones get more advance, they will not be susceptible to viruses which can waste people time and money.

[Dorienne]

Originally Posted by Heretic121

actually dora, there are palm device virus's spreading on those with bluetooth on by default.

oh joooooy...

[Mike Ciance]

Originally Posted by Heretic121

actually dora, there are palm device virus's spreading on those with bluetooth on by default.

dora still has some exploring to do in the world of palm pilots (Nick Jr reference - terrible, i know)

[Testament-Doom]

You think Dora is still low-tech to palm pilots? Just look at me for christ sake! I lack mobile technology! X_x

Well, we all knew this would happen... hah ha! Hopefully there will be some program out there to scan and delete for viruses on mobile devices as well as on a computer.... Just pray folks......pray............

[Adam Y.]

And this is why low tech people like myself shall still be here after the great virus apocalypse. My cellphone is sooo archaic that the only way you can disable it is by slamming it in a door and even that is debatble because I found a cell phone that was run over that still worked. The ludites shall rule the world. Muahahah.....

[Ashley Weed]

You can scan external drives, flash drives, etc with a full system scan. The drive is recognized and it will scan it as if it were part of your system. I am not currently using my PDA as I am waiting to upgrade. However my last PDA had a "base/hub" to transfer files as it was not infrared capable yet (nor wireless). In that case I wonder how difficult it would be to have the system recognize the PDA as an external device and scan it as long as it was powered on. I will have to do some research in my studies in the world of IST.

[Clark Gilbert]

Originally Posted by Ashley Weed

You can scan external drives, flash drives, etc with a full system scan. The drive is recognized and it will scan it as if it were part of your system. I am not currently using my PDA as I am waiting to upgrade. However my last PDA had a "base/hub" to transfer files as it was not infrared capable yet (nor wireless). In that case I wonder how difficult it would be to have the system recognize the PDA as an external device and scan it as long as it was powered on. I will have to do some research in my studies in the world of IST.

Another solution would be to try this. Pc-Cillin For Wireless I haven't personally used it, but the it had some good praise from the forum I found it on. Plus it's free!

[VGMasterShadow]

I guess this is the start of electronic rebellion.