Kaspersky Labs is reporting a new proof-of-concept virus capable of infecting both Windows and Linux systems.
The cross-platform virus is relatively simple and appears to have a low impact, according to Kaspersky. Even so, it could be a sign that virus writers are beginning to research ways of writing new code capable of infecting multiple platforms, said Shane Coursen, senior technical consultant at Kaspersky.
In a note on its Web site, the SANS Internet Storm Center (ISC) in Bethesda, Md,. said the new virus ?is a sign the cross-platform aspects are becoming important. As the developers of viruses continue to research this, we will see more cross-platform malware come about in the future.?
The new virus, which Kaspersky calls Virus.Linux.Bi.a/Virus.Win32.Bi.a, is written in assembler and infects only those files in the current directory. ?However, it is interesting in that it is capable of infecting the different file formats used by Linux and Windows,? Kaspersky said.
?It isn?t surprising that we are seeing a multiplatform virus,? given the growing popularity of Linux on enterprise desktops, Coursen said. ?This is simply proof-of-concept code to show this kind of thing can be done.?
that's it, i'm renouncing the pc and going back to an abacus, all i gotta do is get someone to port the gmail API over to 4 red beads and 16 green beads
