Posted on 11/26/2004 9:04:41 PM PST by neverdem
Early this month, several Web sites began offering software promising ringtones and screensavers for certain cell phones. But those who downloaded the software found that it turned every icon on their cell phones' screens into a skull-and-crossbones and disabled their phones, so they could no longer send or receive text messages or access contact lists or calendars.
Security experts named the malicious software "Skulls" and consider it an early warning of the damage hackers could do as they turn their malevolent talents to cell phones from computers.
"Hackers are simply trying to put it out there that it can be done," said Vincent Weafer, senior director of security response for Symantec Corp., a security software firm. "The motivation is to say [cell phones] aren't as secure as you think."
Mobile phones are a tempting target because they have become a part of everyday life. In addition, consumers are buying more sophisticated "smart phones" with Internet connections that provide an easier pathway for cell phone infections. Few phones come equipped with protection against malicious software, though some companies are starting to install it. Most cell phone users aren't on guard for attacks like those that periodically bring down computers worldwide, and at this point there is little they can do to protect themselves.
"The impact is potentially larger on the phone because we're not savvy about that," said Victor Kouznetsov, senior vice president of mobile solutions at McAfee Inc., a security software firm. "Also, the profile of a mobile society is a cross-section of society who are potentially less [technically] savvy than computer users."
Skulls is one of five malicious software programs attacking cell phones this year, security experts and analysts said. The scale of such attacks is hard to quantify because the federally funded CERT Coordination Center at Carnegie Mellon...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1288641/posts
I can help it if WaPo changes the title.
ping
If only there were a way to make the head of every hacker in the world explode simultaneously. These people are scum.
I am shocked and outraged to learn that cell phones are being increasingly abused by hookers.
Isn't it enough that they befoul certain areas of our cities, with their 9-inch heels, patent-leather micro skirts and come-hither looks? Now they want to take over the cell phone airwaves? I say our elected officials must take immediate action to . . .
What? They're not talking about hookers? The problem is with hackers? Never mind.
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
Theres a billion hackers out there and a billion folks trying to fix what they screw up thus we are clearly overpopulated by at least 2 billion on this earth......
Just my opinion of course....
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