Commwarrior-A
Encyclopedia
Commwarrior-A is the first known mobile phone
virus
capable of replicating via MMS messages, which captured the world's attention in March 2005. The virus, originally targeted at Symbian Series 60 smart phones, failed to result in an epidemic. However, its ability to propagate via Multimedia Messaging Service
messages (MMS) worried some experts at the time of its discovery.
Until the arrival of Commwarrior-A, mobile phone viruses had spread over Bluetooth
, and thus were only capable of affecting nearby phones. By contrast, an MMS virus could potentially spread as quickly as an email worm. It is believed that the virus originated from Russia because it contained text stating "OTMOP03KAM HET!" which roughly translates to 'No to braindeads.'
MMS messages are text messages that include an image, audio or video. They are sent from one phone to another or via email.
In the summer of 2005, some major anti-virus vendors came under fire from mobile industry experts who accused them of 'over-hyping' the threat posed by Commwarrior-A in order to perpetuate their own business model.
Commwarrior-A is a strong example of a 'proof of concept' virus.
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
virus
Computer virus
A computer virus is a computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware programs that do not have the reproductive ability...
capable of replicating via MMS messages, which captured the world's attention in March 2005. The virus, originally targeted at Symbian Series 60 smart phones, failed to result in an epidemic. However, its ability to propagate via Multimedia Messaging Service
Multimedia Messaging Service
Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS, is a standard way to send messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. It extends the core SMS capability that allowed exchange of text messages only up to 160 characters in length.The most popular use is to send photographs from...
messages (MMS) worried some experts at the time of its discovery.
Until the arrival of Commwarrior-A, mobile phone viruses had spread over Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
, and thus were only capable of affecting nearby phones. By contrast, an MMS virus could potentially spread as quickly as an email worm. It is believed that the virus originated from Russia because it contained text stating "OTMOP03KAM HET!" which roughly translates to 'No to braindeads.'
MMS messages are text messages that include an image, audio or video. They are sent from one phone to another or via email.
In the summer of 2005, some major anti-virus vendors came under fire from mobile industry experts who accused them of 'over-hyping' the threat posed by Commwarrior-A in order to perpetuate their own business model.
Commwarrior-A is a strong example of a 'proof of concept' virus.
External links
- CommWarrior Mobile Virus Removal (manual fix)
- Techworld reports on discovery of Commwarrior-A in March 2005
- The Register exposes 'over-hyped' threat of MMS virus
- Silicon.com investigates the future of the mobile virus
- BBC News 24 runs a demonstration of Commwarrior-A for its viewers
- Reverse engineering workproduct of Commwarrior-B (requires IDA Pro)