Mobile phone malware writers are up to no good again. A security vendor has detected a new variant of an aggressive Russian mobile worm that uses some alarming new tricks.
Like its earlier relatives, Commwarrior.Q will jump onto another phone using a short-range Bluetooth wireless connection, according to Finnish antivirus company, F-Secure. It also spreads via multimedia messaging service (MMS) or by an infected memory card inserted into a device.
Commwarrior.Q is not spreading widely. But the worm has new traits that make it particularly aggressive and it appears to be one of the most complex pieces of mobile malware created to date, vice-president of mobile security for F-Secure, Antti Vihavainen, said
Commwarrior.Q will continuously send MMS messages from midnight to 7 am to people in an infected phone's address book. It cleverly assembles a text message from the phone's sent file, making it appear legitimate, Vihavainen said.
After 7am, however, Commwarrior.Q stops that action, as it would be noticeable to the user. It then starts scanning other phones to infect via Bluetooth. Commwarrior.Q will infect any Symbian OS application installation files, called SIS files. Unlike its predecessors, the SIS files that Commwarrior.Q infects take on random names, making them harder to identify. Previous versions of Commwarrior used the same file name, F-Secure said.
The SIS files also range in size from 32,100 to 32,200 bytes, making them hard to distinguish from MMS messages if mobile operators wanted to filter them out of their networks, Vihavainen said.
Commwarrior.Q couldn't automatically infect a phone, however, Vihavainen said. A user would be prompted if they received an infected SIS file, and they had to accept the file. Users also got another security prompt. After that, however, Commwarrior.Q would start running.
F-Secure had notified mobile operators of the worm, he said. Operators could potentially filter out all transfers of SIS files between phones, but that would reduce functionality.
Commwarrior.Q affects Symbian Series 60 phones that used Symbian OS version 8.1 or older, F-Secure said.
Users may eventually know if they are infected, as Commwarrior.Q intermittently displays an HTML page with text that says, in part, "No panic please, is it very interesting to have mobile virus at own phone."
Commwarrior was first seen in 2005, and several variants have been detected. One version, Commwarrior.B, sends continuous MMSes, draining the phone battery. When charged, the phone won't reboot.
Commwarrior.Q did not damage data on a phone, Vihavainen said. But a user could incur high phone charges caused by the worm sending messages during the night.
Mobile malware is not widespread but researchers say it could become more prevalent as people use more complex mobile devices.
Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services. Zones provide focussed content from Computerworld and leading technology partners.
D-Link Australia & New Zealand
D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for small, medium and large enterprise business networking. The company is an award-winning designer, developer and manufacturer of networking, broadband, digital electronics, voice and video communication.
To Find out more about D-Link solutions visit www.dlink.com.au
D-Link Australia & New Zealand
Featured Products
-
IP BASED PHONE SYSTEM
D-Link VoiceCenter
D-Link VoiceCenter is an IP based phone system designed to meet the needs of small businesses. D-Link have solely partnered with Microsoft to package Microsoft’s Response Point software to bring you VoiceCenter. For more info on VoiceCenter's products and events please visit: http://voicecenter.dlink.com.au -
AWARD WINNING STORAGE
DNS-343 4-Bay NAS Enclosure
D-Links new 4-bay network attached storage enclosure has just received ZDNet's Editor's Choice award and a rating of 9 out of 10 by Craig Simms from CNET See the review here. The DNS-343 release followed the great success of its smaller sibling the 2-bay DNS-323. Targeted at both the home IT enthusiast and commercial users needing a flexible storage solution the DNS-343 is showing good market performance. -
EVERY BUSINESS NEEDS ONE
DSA-3600 Multi-Service Gateway
Any business that’s serious about networking must consider installing this gateway. Feature rich the DSA-3600 multi-service business gateway is a complete network solution that delivers reliable and cost-effective services to SMB and enterprise branch offices. Perfect for setting up a commercial grade wireless connection for the office the unit is simple and easy to manage. -
WI-FI FOR MOBILE WORK SITES
DIR-451 Mobile 3G Router
Perfect for mobile and temporary work-sites the mobile 3G router quickly and easily can connect your site back to the office. Recently the United States Air Force has used D-Link Mobile 3G routers on its remote base camps to connect soldiers with other Air Force departments, local agencies, friends and families. To see the complete case study click here.
New Products
-
XTREME
N DUO ROUTER -
DIR-855
The highly anticipated simultaneous broadcasting dual band wireless N router has arrived. The DIR-855 is set to make massive waves and take home/SOHO wireless networking to a new generation. Unlike other networking manufacturers who promote dual band the new DIR-855 will provide users simultaneous dual band wireless networks, opening up another range of opportunities for wireless networking. - DUAL BAND USB ADAPTER
DWA-160 Xtreme N USB Wi-Fi
The new dual band wireless N USB adapter is ideal for simultaneous dual band environments. For example in apartment buildings where there are heavily congested 2.4GHz Wi-Fi or at the home stream HD video over the network and making VoIP calls at the same time.
Coming Soon
-
WI-FI ACCESS POINT/BRIDGE
DAP-1522 Xtreme N Duo
A new addition to the Xtreme N family this wireless N access point/bridge effectively doubles available wireless bandwidth. Designed for users looking to get a true wireless connection that can handle multiple High-Definition video streaming throughout the house it can take the home network to a new level. - GOT NAKED DSL
DVA-G3670B ADSL2+ Wireless G VoIP Modem Router
Naked DSL customers now have the perfect feature rich product solution the DVA-G3670B to take advantage of naked DSL features. This ADSL2+ (naked DSL compatible) modem Wireless G router comes with 2 VoIP phone connections and is ideal for the growing market who don't want to pay the unnecessary line rental fee. Ultimately this unit is an ideal all-in-one home network solution and even SOHO small business solution.
Download
- Product Selection Guide Issue 3, 08 (3.2MB PDF)
- D-Lifestyle Magazine Issue 12 (2MB PDF)
- D-Link Power Up Your Business Poster (1.7MB PDF)
Case Studies
- DIR-451 Mobile 3G Router - United States Air Force Case Study (104K PDF)
- IP Based Surveillance - Minneapolis Airport Hangar Case Study (180K PDF)
- Commercial Grade Wireless - Four Points Sheraton Hotel Case Study (300K PDF)
- Business Class Switching - Microsoft Campus Case Study (800K PDF)
- High Bandwidth Networking Solution - Team Emirates New Zealand Case Study (751K PDF)
Whitepapers
D-Link TV
Watch videos about D-Link products and much morehttp://www.dlinktv.com
D-Link Training
Find out more about D-Link products trainings and certification programhttp://training.dlink.com.au
Buying Guides
Latest Products
