First Mobile Phone Virus Found in the Wild

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BBC story to be found here .

 

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virus is the wrong word for this i think. spyware is probably a more accurate word. it was intentionally coded by the designers, doesnt spread, doesnt really do anything i would say is characteristic of a virus. but it does fit under the category of spyware. its bundled with other software, it reports your habits, its installed without your knowledge.

this is another example of the media using the incorrect words for things, which just ends up confusing everything and everyone. its also an example of application programmers going too far with spyware. if that was going to be installed onto your system, you should be made fully aware of it. and not just in some lisence agreement.

i personally think install programs should have a page similar to the license agreement page where it states clearly that 3rd party software is installed alongside this program, do you agree to this! after that, if they wish to make you have to agree to install the programs, thats their perogative. but it should be clearly marked!

Fergal

 

its not a virus no, but its not spyware either, it mearly fires off an sms message to the manufacturer when your using an illegal version, seems more akin to product activation and monitoring techniques than spyware

it wasnt 'told' to customers because this is an old version of the product, the company removed it from the current retail version as there were problems with it
this is merely a problem with the dumb users breaking the law
i dont have a problem with individual software piracy, but i dont expect the dumbasses to go and complain about it when they do it because it doesnt do/does do something the retail version does not, i mean get a grip

 

Picky, picky, picky...

 

next they'll be reporting spyware for microwaves and viruses to your television.

 

I think you have made an even more significant point than you think there, Ryan.

True, so very true.