I struggle to comprehend the reason for computer viruses. I can just about pin the “corporate espionage” tag onto viruses that propogate and then attack a certain website, but the ones that just create hassle, backdoors and generally screw your system are just eHooliganism in my opinion. There is absolutely no need for it.
Now they have viruses that attack mobile phones. That is completely and utterly malicious and serves no purpose other than to propagate itself. What is the point?
Fortunately the MMS part of this new Mabir virus is not active, but it just demonstrates that such a thing can, and now probably will, be released at some point.
If you have the virus there are removal instructions available. In fact, those details are good to read even if you don’t have the virus as it may help you in identifying it before it gets installed on your phone.
razorhead | 05-Apr-05 at 6:30 pm | Permalink
I prefer the question, why do software vendors leave stupid security holes in their products.
wedge | 05-Apr-05 at 7:53 pm | Permalink
Software is alot more complicated than you think. Plus these virus writers are either pimply faced l33t kids who do nothin but study code all day looking for vulnerabilities, or the worse kind, Proffesional software designers who know the vulnerabilities because they got tips, or even wrote it themselves.
I miss the old days of my brother wrting VB spam-bots for AOL 4 and before. Quality mail bombs and ascii art images!
Splee | 05-Apr-05 at 9:26 pm | Permalink
Razor, there’s a couple of ways that comment could be interpreted so I’m going to interpret the version I agree with. :)
Leaving known security holes in software is inexcusable. Any decent developer will attempt to plug security holes as quickly as possible. Not to name names but there are some companies who will leave their software open to attack for a lot longer than is healthy, even after the whole world know about it. Anyway, off my high horse now…
The other thing to note is that these phone viruses (virii? I can’t remember if its the same with internet) rely on social engineering to spread rather than actual security holes.