Ben Laden virus

[LocutisJ]

Any one get an e-mail from Anna R Marcelli concerning a virus on PDA's called the Ben Laden?

She included links to get the latest anti-virus for Palms.

[JohnKes]

Sounds like a hoax to me. Can't find anything about this on Google or McAfee:
http://vil.nai.com/VIL/newly-discovered-viruses.asp

[Sparks]

Looks like it may be for real...at least there is such a thing as a virus by that name..go to:

http://www.F-Secure.com/v-descs/toil.shtml

Sparks

[ebisix]

I highly doubt that it is for a Palm.

The virus does not work on Windows NT system due to a Windows 9x/ME specific property.

[Sparks]

Hi ebisix...

Yep, I agree...sounds like only a Windows problem to me.

Cheers!

Sparks:D

[ebisix]

Yes. Most viruses are on Windows in fact.

[Sparks]

Heh .. heh...you sound like a Apple Mac user. That is one of the nice things about having an iMac as I do.
Have a good one.
:D :D :p :rolleyes:

[stever]

duh.... Yes, it does enter from a windows machine (the one you sync your palm to.)
(OR FROM BEAMING)
I still do not know though if it is a hoax, or not. While the dl sites claim to be from tucows, a search of tucows palmos file area gets no hits. The people sending the message claim the 'virus' started from palmgear.


The text of the "alert" was:

This virus affects handheld devices running the PalmOS operating system.
This includes devices manufactured by Palm, Handspring, IBM, TRG, and
Symbol Technologies.
When activated, the virus deletes all application files on the device and
then formats it.
The virus is generally installed to a PalmOS device from a host computer
during a HotSync operation. It can also be beamed from one Palm device to
another via infrared. It is possible for OmniSky wireless internet users to
receive this virus via e-mail as an attachment.
To remove the virus from Palm, please use PalmOS Antivirus.
The PalmOS Antivirus will scan your Palm for the Ben Laden virus. If Ben
Laden is found, the tool will remove the copies of the virus found on the
Palm.

The latest version of PalmOS Antivirus is available for download at

http://nordcom.pda.tucows.com/filespalm/antivir.zip
http://corecomm.pda.tucows.com/filespalm/antivir.zip
http://eunet.pda.tucows.com/filespalm/antivir.zip
http://download.handango.com/shareware/88015/antivir.zip

[IHAVEATINYPDA]

guys, even if you sync to a virus computer you probally wont get it. I mean, palm and windows are totally different and a virus that affects one probally wont affect the other.

[little-man]

The idea is that the virus goes into a windows machine, but doesn't affect it other than putting itself in the install folder for palm. THEN it goes onto the palm. it's a palm virus transmitted through windows

[lexjuris]

Guyz,

[lexjuris]

Guyz,

For as long as you practice practice safe computing, you will have nothing to fear of. This virus, will enter your PALM through Windows (while synchronization) and will do the job as soos as it was installed on your PALM. Just a typical PALM .prc file which is not visible to the PALM's OS. But as long as you are aware of the FILES residing on your RAM (within your PALM RAM) you will not be a victim of this virus! It will appear as a file which is unusual on your PALM.


HACKERZ RULEZ!!!

[mmencke]

unless you launch the .exe there is no way this could pose could pose a threat to your palm or computer. and i highly doubt that it isn't a hoax concidering symantech (a company built to make money off of this kind of rumor) dosn't even acnolage it

[stever]

GUYZ:

BOTTOM LINE:

YES, the virus COULD work as described in the alert text. Whether it COULd or whether it is UNLIKELY, are not THE POINT.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING: Is there a definitive, trusted, authoratative site that has information about it. (MacAfee, Symantec, etc.)

I.E., IS IT REAL OR IS IT A HOAX?
We are looking for authoratative opinion, not our own guesses, or those of our friends or relatives, etc.

[ebisix]

Originally posted by Sparks
Heh .. heh...you sound like a Apple Mac user. That is one of the nice things about having an iMac as I do.
Have a good one.
:D :D :p :rolleyes:
I'm using Windows ME right now.

:(

[ebisix]

I think I've just received a message about this virus.

Subject: Fwd: Please Immediately Scan Your Palm for the Ben Laden Virus. http://eunet.pda.tucows.com/filespalm/antivir.zip
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 03 07:20:34 Pacific Standard Time

This virus affects handheld devices running the PalmOS operating
system. This includes devices manufactured by Palm, Handspring, IBM, TRG, and
Symbol Technologies.
When activated, the virus deletes all application files on the device
and then formats it.
The virus is generally installed to a PalmOS device from a host
computer during a HotSync operation. It can also be beamed from one Palm
device to another via infrared. It is possible for OmniSky wireless internet
users to receive this virus via e-mail as an attachment.
The virus was initially distributed on IRC.
To remove the virus from Palm, please use PalmOS Antivirus.
The PalmOS Antivirus will scan your Palm for the Ben Laden virus. If
Ben Laden is found, the tool will remove the copies of the virus found on
the Palm.

The latest version of PalmOS Antivirus is available for download at

http://corecomm.pda.tucows.com/filespalm/antivir.zip
http://eunet.pda.tucows.com/filespalm/antivir.zip
http://download.handango.com/shareware/88015/antivir.zip

[JohnKes]

I got the same spam in my e-mail twice yesterday! I went to Handango to try to download it, since one of the links in the spam had Handango in it - no dice! I tried searching there under "antivirus", since the app name is PalmOS Antivirus - no dice.

The spam did not have a real return address either.

=> Not much credibility to me.

[mmencke]

I was able to find this at brighthandMany users have received an email that warns people of a Ben Laden Virus that affects Palm OS devices. At this point this appears to be a hoax. While there have been a few Trojan Horses, there has never been a genuine Palm OS virus in wide circulation. Those who are particularly concerned can buy some anti-virus software, like that available from F-Secure. based on the fact that other than that i could only find references to it by companys making antivirus apps i don't feel real thretened

[JohnKes]

The spam comes from an unknown source, with .exe and .prc programs that you can install and activate yourself. Sounds like trouble to me.

If anyone dares to try, please let us know what happens.