'BadBIOS' System-Hopping Malware Appears Unstoppable

[Guest]

The badBIOS malware withstands system wipes; infects Macs, Windows and Linux boxes; and might spread itself via sound waves — if it's real.

'BadBIOS' System-Hopping Malware Appears Unstoppable : Read more

 

[skit75]

I call BS. It isn't even close to April. I did need a good laugh before the weekend though.

 

[therealduckofdeath]

Skynet has been successfully activated.

 

[COLGeek]

Must be an alien plot to exterminate all "intelligent" life on the planet....

 

[whiteodian]

November Fools Day! I believe every first of the month should be a Fools Day and it looks like my idea is spreading.

 

[pyromanicadeluxe]

I would like to officially announce that I have built a time machine and will be going to the year 1846.

 

[elmo2006]

"In fact, the only thing that could stop the malware's spread, according to Ruiu, was disabling a computer's speakers and microphone."

That's when I stopped reading and posted this comment. Quack job!

 

[warezme]

This sounds pretty fake to me. However a localized high energy electromagnetic field of varying frequencies could cause enough havoc to all computer systems nearby. This could account for lost files, random reboots and just strange behavior. Even if it were audio induced code it would have to be purposely detected, stored, understood, compiled and executed by the receiver intentionally to RUN.

 

[Onus]

Skynet or Jane, perhaps? Might it be user error? Halloween prank?

 

[clonazepam]

I'm a fan of the Walking Dead too! Airborne zombie virus!

 

[dgingeri]

This sounds more like a demon possession or haunting.

 

[tntom]

In order for this to work there would have to be a pre-existing exploit. Like say in the audio driver that would be listening all the time. Such transmission would be really slow. All the computers would have to have either a similar driver issue of multiple chips and manufactures.

 

[Vorador2]

Halloween was yesterday. The "scary" stories are a bit late.

I'm a bit more worried about real malware, like Cryptolocker. That one is nasty.

 

[sykozis]

I call hoax as well....

 

[ap3x]

Something sounds fishy about this. Can't be real, something like this would be all over the news.

 

[Paul Connell]

Yup, as has been suspected, this is utter BS. First, it says he only disconnected the initially infected systems from his network *after* it had already apparently infected others. And then the article states that he continued to transfer files (and the infection) using memory sticks. And if the virus could survive system wipes, then why would he assume it was being re-spread through the speakers as opposed to simply resurfacing from the initial infection?

And spreading through the speakers? Come on. Unless there's something already on the receiving end continually monitoring the speakers to receive, compile and run the code, it's nonsense.

 

[JamesSneed]

Add me to the list calling BS at least how this is written. I can see it plausible that the virus is using some USB controller hack to get in from any USB flash drives etc like the PS3 jail breaks did. Transmitting ultrasonic frequency via PC speakers for communication isn't going to happen unless you have some serous studio monitor quality speakers.

 

[John Bauer]

Sounds like someone felt like writing a horror story for Halloween.

 

[Durandul]

@Vorador2 or that Norton program. That is one well written piece of spam.

 

[timaahhh]

Wonder if holy water will do the trick. Ah well I'll add a proton pack to my list of needed tech tools.