Mobile phone viruses appear in Russia

Moscow, Sep 21 (UNI) Virsues attacking mobile phones have appeared in Russia exposing to danger not only users of smartphones but also those using ordinary phones with the Java platform.

Alexander Gostev, an expert with the Kaspersky Lab, an IT security software developer, told mediapersons today that the viruses generally infected telephones, which then began sending text messages to paid services until subscriber accounts were emptied. ''It is practically impossible to develop an antivirus programme,'' he said, adding such programmes were first discovered in Russia.

He pointed out that there were some 20,000 different MMS viruses attacking smartphones.

He also advised users to switch off their Bluetooth wireless data transfer function in the metro and on public transport, saying that viruses often got into phones in this way.

Gotsev said over 30 different types of computer viruses that blocked user databases and demanded a ransom to unblock them were registered in the Russian segment of the Internet in the first half of 2006.

''Data is encrypted, and the programme demands that a certain sum of money be transferred to the indicated account to unblock the data,'' he said.

Warning against dealing with virus creators, he said the users should rely on experienced programmers to solve their problems.

UNI XC PR RS1814