Windows Mobile phone
A new mobile attack is using the old 'companion virus' technique

New mobile virus goes 'old school'

Windows Mobile attack rehashes dated infection technique

Shaun Nichols in San Francisco

A new virus is relying on some old tricks to infect Windows Mobile users. The so-called 'companion virus' attack uses a method of assuming the identity of an existing file and moving the old file to a different location.

The virus then runs itself when the original file is called, often loading the displaced file after the virus code has been executed.

Advertisement

When researchers at McAfee first examined the virus, they were surprised to find that such an infection technique was still in use.

"This was a bit odd since companion viruses used to be more popular in the days of DOS and we haven't seen too many on newer platforms," wrote McAfee researcher Jimmy Shah in a blog posting.

Other elements of the virus are quite modern. The code itself is encrypted and polymorphic, allowing the virus to rewrite its own code to avoid detection by security software.

Viruses and malware for mobile devices is a small but emerging field. A recent report from F-Secure estimated that there are some 400 mobile viruses currently in circulation, and that many pose significant risks for data and identity theft.

Shah noted that it is not only the infection technique of this latest virus that harks back to the old days of malware creation. The methods behind its creation may also be from a bygone era.

"The appearance of this new virus for Windows Mobile phones may mark a change from for-profit Trojans and spyware to the more experimental form of viruses," he wrote.

"Or maybe Windows CE malware authors are just tired of other mobile platforms getting all the attention."

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Do you agree?

Further reading

Mobile virus

F-Secure warns of mobile malware growth

More than 400 mobile viruses in circulation, claims security firm

Microsoft

Microsoft opts for Windows 7 for next embedded release

Next version of Windows Embedded will skip Vista

Converged threats plague firms

New security reports show spam, phishing and malware used in blended threats

US warns Olympic travellers about electronic espionage

State and criminals will be after your data

Related whitepapers

Related jobs

Most watched

eu flag

V3.co.uk weekly debrief, 6 Nov 09

This week, Europe decides what to do with illegal file sharers

Intel unveils its micro server platform

Small-enclosure systems take aim at hosting market

IT white papers

Search white papers

Top categories

Poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

What is the biggest problem your firm faces as a result of the data explosion?

View poll results

Advertisement

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Spotlight

Top 10 cup

Top 10 technologies in a death spiral

A look at some technologies that may soon be departed

Thunderbird

Thunderbird 3 out this month

Open source email system gets a makeover

Best Buy to storm Blighty's stores

Now that Circuit City is gone, Best Buy's ruling the...

Internet Explorer

Europe's browser war heats up again

Mozilla and Opera demand changes to Microsoft's proposed ballot system

Primary Navigation