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'Metal Gear' Trojan targets Symbian phones

Skulls up to no good again

Symbian OS/Series 60 UI malware Skulls has been put to further use, this time masquerading as a version of the game Metal Gear Solid.

Vulnerable handsets include those from manufacturers such as Nokia, Siemens, Panasonic and Sendo.

According to anti-virus software developer SimWorks, the Trojan, dubbed Metal Gear A, uses Skulls to disable anti-virus software, including the company's own. It also uses the Cabir worm to spread to other handsets.

Anyone receiving the installer file Metal Gear.sis on their Symbian phone should not open it or proceed with the installation. If they do, it will not only render any already installed anti-virus code ineffective, but will install Cabir and another installer file, SEXXXY.sis. This adds code that disables the handset's Menu button. Cabir not only transmits itself, typically using Bluetooth, but will send SEXXXY.sis too.

SimWorks said it has updated its own anti-virus software since Metal Gear A was first discovered. ®

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