A new version of the Skulls smartphone virus has
appeared on the internet and those infected risk losing all their
mobile data.
Mobile security firm F-Secure has issued a directive on the new
Skulls.D malicious trojan, which pretends to be a downloadable
version of Macromedia Flash player for Symbian Series 60 devices,
which includes a range of Nokia smartphones.
The Skulls.D code drops a version of the SymbOS/Cabir.M worm
into the phone and disables system applications and data. Affected
phones then display an animated flashing skull picture.
F-Secure said Skulls.D also tries to disable its F-Secure Mobile
Anti-Virus product by replacing it's files with non-functional
versions.
However as F-Secure Mobile Anti-Virus is capable of detecting
Cabir.M, contained in Skulls, the anti-virus software will detect
the rogue code and prevent it from being installed.
Infected, users can either install anti-virus software to
disinfect the phone or return their equipment to factory settings,
which will destroy their personal data.