MSNBC First handheld virus deletes apps
"A new era in computer vulnerability began Friday morning when the first-ever virus for handheld organizers struck. A patch was made available Friday afternoon, but experts warned the virus could continue spreading."

"THE VIRUS WAS REPORTED in the form of a tiny file that rummages through Palm Inc. handheld computing devices, ruining their capabilities and deleting files.

While the virus, called “Phage,” seems not to have spread widely, one virus expert said he expects the destructive file to be shared among virus writers and given even greater capability to disguise itself and spread."

"Hypponen said it is only a matter of time before a similar virus is written for handheld computers, sending malicious programs over wireless Internet connections."

redux [08.31.00]
Wired News Wireless Phone Hack Attack?
"During a routine software check, a Norwegian company recently discovered what might be the first hacker attack on mobile phones and other personal digital assistants.

Norway-based WAP service developer Web2WAP was testing its software on Nokia phones with the short messaging service (SMS) when it realized that suspicious code was being sent to the phones and causing them "to freeze.""

""This is the beginning of a whole new era, now that we're moving more from the wired to wireless," [Dan Takata, a virus specialist] said. "Right now (these attacks) are not destructive, but in the not too distant future we will see malicious attacks on mobile phones and Palm devices.""

MSNBC A new era for computer viruses?
"Will catching a computer virus one day be just like catching a cold? What if merely sitting next to the wrong person on the bus could not only give you sniffles, but could erase all your morning appointments or drain your cell phone’s power? For years, computer security experts have engaged in such whimsical hypotheticals. But the recently discovered Palm Pilot virus suggests that a frightening new era of computer viruses — one where they spread more like biological viruses — has begun."

redux [06.06.00]
Fox News Next-Gen Cell Phones Could Be Targets for Viruses
"As next-generation communication devices become smarter and more PC-like in functionality, they may also become the target of virus writers who will unleash a new breed of malicious payloads."

"While today's devices aren't at too great a risk for viruses, next-generation cell phones will be more susceptible because of the two things cell phone users want the most: programmability and Internet access."

BBC Ericsson unveils Bluetooth
"Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson has unveiled its first mobile phone using the Bluetooth wireless technology.

The Bluetooth technology provides wireless connections between the phone and other electronic devices such as computers."

"The new phone will be WAP-enabled, allowing the user to hook up to the net with their phone, sending and receiving data at high speed."

Crypto-Gram Computer Security: Will We Ever Learn?
"If we've learned anything from the past couple of years, it's that computer security flaws are inevitable. Systems break, vulnerabilities are reported in the press, and still many people put their faith in the next product, or the next upgrade, or the next patch. "This time it's secure," they say. So far, it hasn't been. "

"No one is paying attention because no one has to.

Computer security products, like software in general, have a very odd product quality model. It's unlike an automobile, a skyscraper, or a box of fried chicken. If you buy a product, and get harmed because of a manufacturer's defect, you can sue...and you'll win. Car-makers can't get away with building cars that explode on impact; chicken shops can't get away with selling buckets of fried chicken with the odd rat mixed in. It just wouldn't do for building contractors to say thing like, "Whoops. There goes another one. Sorry. But just wait for Skyscraper 1.1; it'll be 100% collapse-free!"

Software is different. It is sold without any claims whatsoever. Your accounts receivable database can crash, taking your company down with it, and you have no claim against the software company. Your word processor can accidentally corrupt your files and you have no recourse. Your firewall can turn out to be completely ineffectual -- hardly better than having nothing at all -- and yet it's your fault. Microsoft fielded Hotmail with a bug that allowed anyone to read the accounts of 40 or so million subscribers, password or no password, and never bothered to apologize. "