SMS Virus

[PickledOnion]

Hi,

Not exactly a computer question but.....

Does anyone have any info on a virus that can be sent to mobile phones (cellular phone I think they call them in the US)?

I have a friend who has had one sent to him and it wiped his phone of everything!

Any info or links gratefuly received.

PO

[Wiruz]

I've heard of them, but don't know much about it.

Who would incorporate a feature in the SMS-standard that is able to delete most data on ones mobile phone?

What i heard is that it simply deletes your phone numbers.

In order to be classified as a virus, it needs to be able to copy itself - or send itself to all the numbers in the phonebook... which i have a hard time believing...

~Wiruz, The Digital Hippie

[Variable]

But still how does it work (how can I do this ;-) ???

[Wiruz]

The only way i can think of, is by sending a cartain command via SMS - it would be stupid of the phone compinies to incorporate such a command/feature in the phone itself - which would be a rather stupid thing to do...

A guy i know had the entire phonebook on his phone deleted that way - nothing else happened.

~Wiruz, The Digital Hippie

[This message has been edited by Wiruz (edited 02-16-2001).]

[Variable]

And what is the "Virus" command that you have to send as an sms?
Where can I find out more baout this (and how it is done?)

[Wiruz]

I haven't tried searching for it myself, but there must be some "cellular BBS" somewhere with someone knowing something about this. My guess is that you need some sort of program to send the "virus" with, i don't think you can just type some sort of code into your phone and then just send it.

I don't think it is a true virus, since i doubt that it forwards itself to the numbers in the phonebook prior to deleting it. I would merely choose to call it "an annoying back orifice".

A virus is defined by it's ability to duplicate itself and spread - hence the name. This is just a loop-hole for lame people to do some damage... Another guess is that it only works on specific models of a specific phone.

Wheew, long time since i used that sort of language - hey! - i'm pretty good at this technical term stuff http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif (Edit: but not the spelling...)

~Wiruz, The Digital Hippie

[This message has been edited by Wiruz (edited 02-17-2001).]