SMobile Tests Anti-Virus Update and Disinfection Tool

SMobile Systems,a provider of security applications for mobile devices, has prepared and tested a mobile anti-virus update and disinfection tool for its Security Shield platform to help protect Nokia smartphones being attacked by SymbianOS Worm currently spreading on mobile phone networks worldwide.

When installed on the handsets, the malware gathers all the phone numbers located in the phone’s contact lists and targets them with a viral MMS carrying a SIS-packed (Symbian Installation Source) version of the worm. In addition to harvesting these numbers, the malware also sends itself to generated numbers. To date the worm only affects Symbian S60 enabled smartphones including such models as the Nokia 6630, 7610, 6680, and N70. However, with modifications, this current attack could spread to many additional smartphone models.

George Tuvell, chief technology officer of SMobile, said: “This is a particularly insidious virus that is smarter in design, and ultimately more dangerous to consumers, corporate smart phone users and to the carriers who provide service to mobile customers, than nearly any previous attack that has gotten into the wild.”