TheWindowsPhone

Vnunet.com is reporting today about a new mobile virus using an older infection technique to infect Windows Mobile users.

This so-called ‘companion virus’ is attacking users by assuming the identity of an existing file and moving the old file to a different location in your device’s storage. The virus then runs itself when the original file is called, often loading the displaced file after the virus code has been executed.

Researchers at McAfee have examined the virus and are surprised to find this particular infection technique still being used. Researcher Jimmy Shah had this to say:

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.

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/malware are becoming more and more common in the mobile world. F-Secure is reporting that there are nearly 400 viruses in circulation that could potentially cause major problems for you such as security risks and data and identity theft.

Protect yourself! There are plenty of excellent virus scanner applications for your mobile device including: exoVirusStop antivirus, JSJ Antivirus, and Airscanner.

If you buy before the end of November, use the coupon code ‘WMCoolOpen‘ to get yourself 20% off at the check out!

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