The
data-mining virus called Flame has reportedly penetrated important
computers in Iran in what is described as the most malicious program ever
discovered. Iran’s Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center (CERTCC)
also warned that the virus was extremely dangerous. Iranian computer experts
discovered Flame, which could reportedly be as much as five years old.
“The complexity and functionality of the newly discovered malicious
program exceed those of all other cyber menaces known to date,” reported Kaspersky
Lab, a Russian producer of antivirus software [International Herald Tribune, 30 May].
Experts believe that the virus bears special encryption hallmarks with
similarities to previous Israeli malware. In an interview with Radio Israel,
the country’s vice prime minister and strategic affairs minister, Moshe Yaalon,
all but took responsibility for the attack.
“Anyone who sees the Iranian threat as a significant threat — it’s
reasonable that he will take various steps, including these, to harm it,” said
Yaalon in response to a question on Flame virus.
Flame
seems to be designed to mine data from personal computers and that it was
distributed through USB sticks rather than the Internet, meaning that a USB has
to be inserted manually into at least one computer in a network.
“This virus copies what you enter on your keyboard; it monitors what
you see on your computer screen,” said a spokesman for Iran’s CRTCC. That
includes collecting passwords, recording sounds if the computer is connected to
a microphone, scanning disks for specific files and monitoring Skype.
“Those controlling the virus can direct it from a distance,” said the CRTCC spokesman. “Flame is no ordinary product. This was designed to monitor selected
computers.”
Source:
International Herald Tribune, 30 May 2012
Photo Source: The computer virus known as Flame as shown by the Russian
computer security firm Kaspersky Lab. Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
