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Proof-of-concept iPod virus discovered
Source: ZDNet.com.
Author: Ryan Naraine.
Russian anti-virus specialists Kaspersky Lab has discovered what is believed to be the first proof-of-concept virus designed specifically to infect Apple's iPod devices.
The virus, named Podloso,does not pose a real threat but signals an intent by malware authors to move beyond computers and smart phones.
According to Kaspersky Lab, the virus is a file which can be launched and run on an iPod.
It should be stressed that in order for the virus to function, Linux has to be installed on the iPod. If the virus is installed to the iPod by the user, the virus then installs itself to the folder which contains program demo versions. Podloso cannot be launched automatically without user involvement.
Once launched, the virus scans the device's hard disk and infects all executable .elf format files. Any attempt to launch these files will cause the virus to display a message on the screen which says "You are infected with Oslo the first iPodLinux Virus."
Podloso is a typical proof-of-concept virus. There are created to demonstrate that a specific platform is vulnerable but does not have a malicious payload.
Additionally, according to Kaspersky Lab, Podloso is unable to spread. The user has to save the virus to the iPod memory for the device to become infected.
"Zero Day" virus has Vista users scrambling
By LAURA HENSLEY
Eagle Staff Writer
A new, nasty computer virus has infected countless Windows PC computers around the globe and across the Brazos Valley over the past week, leaving people with slow-running machines and, in some cases, completely corrupted systems.
David Gerlak, account manager at AgniTEK Technology Solutions in College Station, said the company has seen an influx of calls from customers affected by the "Zero Day" virus. AgniTEK is among fewer than a dozen computer consulting companies in Bryan and College Station that handle virus and spyware removal.
A steady stream of calls began coming into the technology solutions business a week ago, Gerlak said. Microsoft scrambled to release a security download to fix the problem Tuesday, but by that time computer hackers were able to exploit the security flaw on computers around the world, officials said.
The new virus specifically targets users of the Microsoft Vista software - a newly released computer application - but it also has affected other Windows programs.
Gerlak said the virus spreads through the Internet, attaches to Microsoft Windows animated cursor files and can significantly slow a computer's performance or cripple a computer system.
"It happens all the time," Gerlak said. "If it's not one [virus], it's another."
Tom Putnam, executive director of computing and information services at Texas A&M University, said computers on campus have not been noticeably affected by the virus.
He said it's a common practice for the university never to use brand new versions of software. Instead, he said, he waits for problems such as "Zero Day" to be fixed before installing new programs.
The university's computer system has anti-virus controls in place, which scan for viruses in the system as many as three times a day, he said.
"All it takes is one person to click on something they shouldn't and before you know it, it's everywhere," Putnam said. "People let their guard down and things happen."
Putnam said there are hundreds of new viruses that appear daily and this latest virus likely has drawn more attention because it is linked to Microsoft's Vista program.
"This is not the first time and it will not be the last," he said. "[Microsoft] is a favorite target for people who want to find holes and exploit them."
Protecting against computer viruses is a nonstop battle that all computer users should be aware of, both Gerlak and Putnam said. If computer users have the latest security protections downloaded on to their computers, they can safeguard their machines from most disastrous viruses, bugs, worms or spyware. Other subscription services such as Norton, McAfee or Kaspersky also can filter many viruses.
A security update for the recent virus was released Tuesday at www.Microsoft.com that will safeguard users from the new virus, Gerlak said. But if your computer already is affected by the virus it likely will need to be diagnosed and then taken to a professional who can try to remove the virus from the computer - a difficult and sometimes costly task.
From 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Microsoft Truck will visit College Station at the AgniTEKnology Showcase in College Station for the first time. The interactive, hands-on experience will showcase new Microsoft, Intel, Cisco and Hewlett Packard technologies.
