PDA Virus????

[Dorsey]

I just received the e-mail below about a PDA virus going around. I don't know the sender. Earlier I had been told that there wasn't anything to worry about with PDA viruses. Is there anything to this e-mail? Would appreciate some more "learned" advice! Thanks!
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(from: lolafellinger@runbox.com - ????)
This virus affects handheld devices running the PalmOS operating system. This includes devices manufactured by Palm, Handspring, IBM, TRG, and Symbol Technologies.
When activated, the virus deletes all application files on the device and then formats it.
The virus is generally installed to a PalmOS device from a host computer during a HotSync operation. It can also be beamed from one Palm device to another via infrared. It is possible for OmniSky wireless internet users to receive this virus via e-mail as an attachment.
The virus was initially distributed on IRC.
To remove the virus from Palm, please use PalmOS Antivirus.
The PalmOS Antivirus will scan your Palm for the Ben Laden virus. If Ben Laden is found, the tool will remove the copies of the virus found on the Palm.
The latest version of PalmOS Antivirus is available for download at
http://corecomm.pda.tucows.com/filespalm/antivir.zip
http://eunet.pda.tucows.com/filespalm/antivir.zip
http://download.handango.com/shareware/88015/antivir.zip

[Homie_S]

I call shenanigans. How is a virus able to get onto your device? Through fake apps? And why would some loser want to wipe your PDA? Don't they have better things to destroy? I've just never heard of such thing. Of course, I've never had a problem with apps and viruses, so I guess I'm oblivious to it. Don't websites (palmgear for example) check the apps first to make sure they aren't harmful to devices?

[Tek Phreak]

There was a virus out a while ago, that was common with most Liberty Game Boy hacks/patches. It was a cool story, the guy that wrote liberty actually wrote the virus and then stuck it on this hacked version and dispersed it around the internet to discourage patching palm programs! That's what i read at least. Yes, their are palm viruses out there, although they are generally few and far between and don't get spread very easily. I doubt you have anything to worry, just look at some virus update sites to see if the list this Bin Laden virus as a real thing.

Enjoi.
-Tek

[abosco]

Yes, and actually because of the Liberty patch virus, Norton created a Palm OS anti-virus program. It has virus definitions and everything. A true waste of money if you ask me.

[Token User]

Originally posted by Dorsey
The PalmOS Antivirus will scan your Palm for the Ben Laden virus. If Ben Laden is found, the tool will remove the copies of the virus found on the Palm.Who is Ben Laden?

I don't know about a virus, but the sales guys I show my NX70 to seem to come down with something.

[contempt]

Yeah, I think Anti-virus software for the Palm is a waste. Nobody is writing viruses for the Palm (not since Liberty). I would say if you hear about more and more PocketPC viruses, then we should be on the lookout. Those PDAs will definitely be hit first.

[n2ifp]

Not too long ago there was mention of certain cellular phones could possibly get a virus. Then all of a sudden the subject seemed to be dropped like a hot potato.

[euroclie]

Originally posted by Dorsey
When activated, the virus deletes all application files on the device and then formats it.

Ooohhh! The virus deletes all aplication files on the device (OK, I can understand that) and then formats it! How is one supposed to format a PalmOS PDA?

The worst thing that the "virus" could do is perform a hard reset on your device, thus wiping the entire content, but the guy who wrote this message doesn't even know that a PalmOS PDA doesn't have to be formatted (only the external memory cards need that). And if he meant "hard reset" when he wrote "format", then deleting every application file first is pretty useless, no?

It's just another company trying to make some money by frightening unknowledgeable users... Nothing to worry about.

I received the same message, BTW, and sent it directly to the trash folder, and of course added the author to my kill-file, just in case... ;)

[mikra]

Bohaaaaaahm, again that hoax. Some people try it again and again. They just want to pull the money put of someones pockets.

I am waiting for a mail that tells us that our cellphones and palms (maybe even our wristwatches) are infected by a vicious virus, called Ebola-Bin-Laden-SARS-Aids-Armageddon-Virus. I am so scared... 

But to be serious again, sometimes i ask myself if those people who make virusprogramms are the same that sell antivirusprogramms. It is surely a profitable idea to build a virus and to be the first who has the only tools to find and to destroy it. And if you give the virus a horrifying name everyone will be scared and buy your tool.

For virus information i would NEVER rely on unwanted emails ... Others call them SPAM.

spam is the plague of the internet....