[linuxtechbiz] Cross-platform virus(Dont

[Ritesh Agrawal]

Security watchers have uncovered proof-of-concept (POC) malware
that's capable (at least theoretically) of infecting either Windows or
Linux PCs. Linux-Bi-A/Win-Bi-A is written in assembler so it is capable of infecting either Linux ELF binaries or Windows exe files.


The virus only infects files in a user's current directory and isn't
spreading. The code for Bi-A is simple and its only action is to inject
text strings into infected files. Bi-A poses no immediate risk to users
in its present form. However, as Kaspersky Labs' virus list notes,
it's possible that VXers will take the code and use it as a basis for
more malicious malware. But then again, that could be said of previous
cross platform viruses and thus far a heavy hitter has failed to
materialise.

  

  

  


The SANS Institute concludes
that the appearance of the PoC serves as a timely reminder that users
ought not to run their machine as "root" or administrator. Running a
computer via a separate user account limits the impact of hacker
attacks, but it's a lesson ordinary Windows users, in particular, have
been slow to take on board. Protecting computers - be they running
Windows, Linux or OS/X - with anti-virus software is also a good idea.


    


  
  
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