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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.

6 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. 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. 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).

  5. 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