Windows Mobile Virus Found

Windows Mobile Virus Found

NU Online News Service, July 19, 4:00 p.m. EDT?Insurance industry personnel and others who use hand-held electronic communication devices are facing a new virus attack, a Russian software firm is warning.[@@]

Kaspersky Labs, an information security software developer, has detected Duts, which it says is the first virus aimed at the Windows Mobile platform.

Windows Mobile is a popular platform for mobile devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and Internet-ready phones, said Moscow-based Kaspersky.

"Duts is a proof-of-concept malicious program; it demonstrates that Windows Mobile is vulnerable to infection," said Eugene Kaspersky, head of anti-virus research at Kaspersky Labs. "However, we don't expect a major outbreak; Duts is unable to spread independently."

Mr. Kaspersky said the virus infects a limited number of files and signals its presence in the system. The company said Duts can penetrate mobile devices via e-mail or the Internet. This can happen through removable memory devices, synchronization with a personal computer or using Bluetooth technology.

Once the infected file is launched, the company explained, a dialogue box asks, "Dear User, am I allowed to spread?" The user must click "yes" in order for the virus to proceed.

"The computer underground has pounced on the new opportunities offered by mobile devices," said Mr. Kaspersky. "And now malicious programs are evolving in yet another direction, bringing the first global outbreak caused by a mobile virus closer and closer."

Duts does not appear to have any destructive payload, the company noted.