Cell Phone Virus Ringing

Anti-virus experts have nabbed the first computer virus spreading via
cell phone networks.

Russian security consultants Kaspersky Labs issued an advisory for the
network worm, called Cabir, which was detected squirming through mobile
phones running the Symbian OS.

The Symbian OS powers some cell phone models manufactured by Nokia,
Siemens, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Panasonic.

Kaspersky Labs said preliminary analysis of the code shows that Cabir is
being transmitted as an SIS file (Symbian OS distribution file) and
disguised as a Caribe Security Manager utility.

“If the infected file is
launched, the telephone screen will display the inscription “Caribe.” The
worm penetrates the system and will then be activated each time the phone is
started,” Kaspersky Labs said.

The worm scans for all accessible phones using Bluetooth technology and
sends a copy of itself to the first one found.

The Cabir worm is coded to infect Symbian OS cell phones, but the research
firm warned that it could function on handsets produced by other
manufacturers.

Kaspersky Labs said the worm appeared to be written by an international
group of virus writers who specialize in creating proof-of-concept
viruses.