Tech Watch | InfoWorld Staff » Cabir mobile phone virus lands on U.S. shores

February 22, 2005 | Comments: (0)

Cabir mobile phone virus lands on U.S. shores

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The world's first mobile phone virus has arrived in the United States, and computer experts are warning cell users to protect their phones, just like their PCs.

F-Secure, an anti-virus firm, announced over the weekend that a worm called "Cabir" that has infiltrated mobile phones in other countries was found in phones in Southern California.

The virus threatens only mobile phones and devices using Bluetooth technology.

A phone infected with the virus spends time looking for another Bluetooth-enabled device, draining valuable battery power. When one is found, the worm sends a file.

If the user installs the file, the worm executes and tries spreading again.

But there is hope. Computer, or should I say electronic, security has hit "Entertainment Tonight." Paris Hilton's Blackberry has been hacked and her celebrity friends' phone numbers have been pasted on the Internet. The FBI has been busy issuing subpoenas to shut down the offending Websites.

Note that the cabir virus has also hit Southern California, so other celebri-ties could find that they can no longer use their cell phones, which for some will be worse than not being able to eat, breathe or make bad movies.

If our celebrities are being attacked, suddenly our government jumps into action.

By Bob Francis

Posted by Jack McCarthy on February 22, 2005 11:54 AM

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