wenwilder
08-12-2004, 11:22 PM
By Ben Charny
CNET News.com
August 12, 2004, 6:55 PM PT
A new virus is making the rounds that forces some cell phones based on the Symbian operating system to generate pricy text messages.
The virus is within an illegal version of the cell phone game Mosquito that is now available for free on the Internet and peer-to-peer networks, according to a statement from Symbian, the company that licenses the operating system of the same name.
Once installed, the game may cause phones to send text messages to premium rate numbers in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland without the user's approval or knowledge, Symbian said. Deleting the game rids users of the problem, the company said.
"The Mosquito Trojan is a clear indication that users need to be aware of the risks of downloading and installing illegal or pirated software," Symbian said. "Symbian believes that mobile security is the responsibility of the entire industry. It requires cooperation and trust."
The company did not offer an estimate of the number of phones affected nor when the virus began making the rounds.
Full Article (http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-5308164.html)
CNET News.com
August 12, 2004, 6:55 PM PT
A new virus is making the rounds that forces some cell phones based on the Symbian operating system to generate pricy text messages.
The virus is within an illegal version of the cell phone game Mosquito that is now available for free on the Internet and peer-to-peer networks, according to a statement from Symbian, the company that licenses the operating system of the same name.
Once installed, the game may cause phones to send text messages to premium rate numbers in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland without the user's approval or knowledge, Symbian said. Deleting the game rids users of the problem, the company said.
"The Mosquito Trojan is a clear indication that users need to be aware of the risks of downloading and installing illegal or pirated software," Symbian said. "Symbian believes that mobile security is the responsibility of the entire industry. It requires cooperation and trust."
The company did not offer an estimate of the number of phones affected nor when the virus began making the rounds.
Full Article (http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-5308164.html)