A Russian computer firm has discovered a new computer virus with unprecedented destructive potential that chiefly targets Iran and could be used as a "cyberweapon" by the West and Israel.
Origin
Kaspersky Lab, one of the world's biggest producers of anti-virus software, said its experts discovered the virus . Kaspersky Labs said the programme appear to have been released five years ago and had infected machines in Iran, Israel, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
How is it Differ than Other.
According to “Roel Schouwenberg, a Kaspersky security senior researcher”, it is one of the most sophisticated pieces of malicious software ever discovered. It has about 20 times as much code than Stuxnet.
Eugene Kaspersky, the founder of Kaspersky Lab, noted that "it took us 6 months to analyse Stuxnet. Flame is 20 times more complicated.Once a machine is infected additional modules can be added to the system allowing the machine to undertake specific tracking projects."
What Flame can DO
Flame can gather data files, remotely change settings on computers, turn on computer microphones to record conversations, take screen shots and copy instant messaging chats.
Spreading
The newly-discovered virus does not spread itself automatically but only when hidden controllers allow it.
According to Laurent Heslault, security chief of the Symantec firm said "Is it a state? Is is the military? Is it paramilitary? It's hard to say".
source:AFP
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