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IBM Distributes USB Malware At Security Conference

Posted by kdawson on from the just-testing-ya dept.

bennyboy64 and other readers let us know that IBM sent out an email to all attendees to the Australian Computer Emergency Response Team (AusCERT) 2010 conference, warning them that some of the USB drives handed out to delegates contained malware. Fortunately it was old malware, which all anti-virus products have detected since 2008. Two years ago telecommunications company Telstra distributed malware-infected USB drives at the same conference.

13 of 73 comments (clear)

  1. Old malware.... by Rotten · · Score: 4, Funny

    IBM old malware is......OS/2?

    1. Re:Old malware.... by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Funny

      OS/2 was not malware. Malware is unobstrusive, runs usually pretty well with Windows, only occasionally slows down the system and is usually also well maintained.

      Stop badmouthing malware, please.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  2. Wow... by wandazulu · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...I didn't realize they'd been able to squeeze Lotus Notes onto a USB drive.

  3. wtf? by Pojut · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Seriously. Come on IBM. You're one of the biggest names in the industry, you hold thousands of patents...and you can't ensure you give devices that have already been secured to conference goers? ::obligatory::

    We can go to the moon...

    --
    Living With a Nerd
    1. Re:wtf? by JamesP · · Score: 4, Informative

      No, I'd say:

      It's a security conference, if you can't handle a USB drive with a (Windows program) virus you shouldn't be there.

      --
      how long until /. fixes commenting on Chrome?
  4. All Anti-virus ? by JavaBear · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If all Anti-virus products have detected this one since 2008 it obviously begs the question, why didn't IBM's?

    1. Re:All Anti-virus ? by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 3, Informative

      The "all" was added by the summary writer. In the article the IBM spokesman said "most" anti-virus software.

      Wightwick said the malware, which dated to 2008, was detected by most anti-virus products.

      "The malware is known by a number of names and is contained in the setup.exe and autorun.ini files.

  5. IBM CEO by dandart · · Score: 3, Funny

    Mwuhahahahaa... destroy them all! That'll show 'em! They should've chosen OUR DOS, and we shouldn't have given them OUR PCs...

  6. Good thing a corporation did it by British · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If some individual did it, they would be in jail for a very long time. Thankfully, a 'corporation' did it, which can blame any # of people internally. Thus, no jail time for IBM. It will probably be handled in a private manner(ie nothing).

  7. It's takes 12-24 months for IBM IT to ok updates by Joe+The+Dragon · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's takes 12-24 months for IBM IT to ok updates

  8. Opportunity to be had by istartedi · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So many USB sticks come with pre-loaded crapware/malware. In the office we would stick them in Linux machines and format them from there. If you stuck it in a Windows machine without formatting it, you spent the rest of the day auditing your machine and puzzling over what might be left on it.

    The OPPORTUNITY is for a company to brand itself based on NOT HAVING CRAP on their sticks. I'm thinking Pure USB would be a nice name for such a product. I know I'd chose that over anything else if they were comparably priced. Don't get greedy and charge a premium for that. Just outsell the competition. I can't believe the kickbacks from crapware authors are that valuable.

    --
    For all intensive purposes, "whom" is no longer a word. That begs the question, "who cares"?
    1. Re:Opportunity to be had by DrBoumBoum · · Score: 3, Informative

      Why not simply disable autorun?

  9. Re:It's takes 12-24 months for IBM IT to ok update by EvilIdler · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The parent post is modded funny, but I'm sure Joe's breaking an NDA! :P