Star Cross-Platform Sample Virus Targets Windows, Linux
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Mon 10th Apr 2006 21:17 UTC
Bugs & Viruses Virus researchers at Kaspersky Lab have found proof-of-concept code for a cross-platform virus capable of infecting both Windows and Linux systems. In an alert posted to Viruslist, Kaspersky said the sample virus has been given a dual name - Virus.Linux.Bi.a/ Virus.Win32.Bi.a - and highlighted the way attackers are targeting multiple platforms in malware attacks. "The virus doesn't have any practical application," the company said in the alert. "It's classic proof-of-concept code, written to show that it is possible to create a cross-platform virus."
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Paranoia = $$$
by Celerate on Mon 10th Apr 2006 23:48 UTC
Celerate
Member since:
2005-06-29

Anti-virus companies are just waiting to rake in the cash on this one. Proof of concept viruses for Linux have been around for a long time, but there are few to none in the wild because they just don't last.

By the way, anyone who claims that the install base of Linux has to do with it's existing security is desperately grasping at straws, the linuxcounter.org site estimates that the current number of Linux users is between over two million and sixty nine million people, my own estimate would be more along the lines of 50 million. Linux is hard to infect with viruses, it's got a solid security model and security holes get patched within 36 hours.

BTW. Just to be fair, it's true that Windows systems can be secured fairly well with a negligible investment of time and effort, and it doesn't require more knowhow than can be expected from users.

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