'Skulls' Trojan Taking Out Cell Phones with Symbian OS
Skulls is a malicious SIS file trojan that will replace the system applications with non-functional versions in order to disable everything except the phone functionality, according to antivirus software maker F-Secure.
The file is named "Extended theme.SIS" and claims to be a theme manager for the Nokia 7610 smart phone, written by "Tee-222." The malware was located on some Symbian shareware download sites.
Poisoning Applications
"Skulls SIS file does not contain any malicious code as such, it is just a Symbian installation file that installs critical System ROM binaries into C: drive in with exact same names and locations as in the ROM drive," according to the F-Secure report.
"The malicious part is in the AIF (application info and icon) file which comes with the applications," the report said.
If Skulls is installed, it will replace all application icons with a picture of skull-and-crossbones, disallowing the launch of phone system applications like Web browsing, camera and text messaging. Users can still make and receive calls.
F-Secure warns users who get the virus not to reboot the phone. The security Relevant Products/Services from AT&T Network Security Solutions firm advises users to follow the disinfection steps on its Web site Relevant Products/Services from Verisign -- FREE Guide to Secure Transactions in order to delete the two faulty files.
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