World's first mobile telephone virus - It had to come!

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Bangkokney
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World's first mobile telephone virus - It had to come!

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The virus is designed to attack top-of-the-range models made by companies which use the common operating system Symbian.

It is disguised as part of the phone's own security software and activates the wireless information transfer system known as Bluetooth.

Each time the phone is turned on the virus searchers for other phones equipped with Bluetooth nearby - and then sends itself to the first of them.

"The Bluetooth system is used to communicate from one phone to another from a maximum distance of 10 metres by sending text or image messages," said the Batelco spokesman.

"There are a number of security levels that can be taken in this situation.

"They could either switch Bluetooth off when they are not using it, or if it was switched on they could use the security option to screen calls.

"However, customers must be aware that the virus has no danger at all since it is only a conceptual development and does not represent a direct threat to telephone systems."

The virus was discovered by Internet security company Kaspersky Labs in Moscow, Russia.

Experts have identified it is the first virus that can spread between mobile phones without the help of a computer.

Although the virus does not have any malicious effect, it is thought it is only a matter of time before programmers adapt it to damage phones, have them call premium rate numbers or send nuisance text messages.

A Kaspersky Labs statement said the virus had been made by a computer expert called Vallez, who is thought to be part of the infamous 29 international group of virus writers.

This group specialises in proving that certain concepts - such as a phone-to-phone viruses - are possible.
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