Infected USB drives distributed by IBM

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» 22 May 2010

Infected USB drives distributed by IBM

An assembly called “Asia Pacific Information Security Conference” was held in Australia this week. And, IBM gave out large quantity of USB Flash drives to the participants during the event. However, it was later found out that these items were actually infected with a certain type of malware.

Urgent matters should be taken into consideration

In response to this issue, IBM immediately sent out an e-mail to the representatives who attended the recently held conference and this message was then posted on the Beast or Buddha blog.

Long-standing type of infection apparently exists

It was explained in the e-mail that the USB Flash drives distributed by IBM during the event were all infected. The infection found in the UBS drives is a type of malicious software that was first identified in the year 2008.

Infections find means of sidestepping security systems

The malicious software was discovered to be incorporated in a certain setup.exe type of file. In addition to this, the file may run without any intervention from the user once it gets its way around the anti-virus system installed in the computer.

It could also end up infecting the machine when the security application fails to identify the presence of this infection. Hence, it may mechanically activate itself once the USB Flash drive is connected to a Windows-operated computer or server.

Fixing an infected system requires suitable methods

IBM did not send this specific message just to explain the occurrence of this security-related incident. The company also gave the necessary steps that an individual should carry out once an infection is detected within the machine. Appropriate methods were written so as to have a smooth process of system disinfection.

IBM sent out its apology for providing the participants of the conference with unwanted troubles due to their infected USB drives.

Loads of questions remain unanswered

IBM has not yet released any clear statement as to why this form of malicious software was present in these USB Flash drives. There had been rumors that the company’s real intention for distributing the infected devices is to gauge the efficiency of the security systems used by the participants of the event. Still, IBM did not give a single response to this standing gossip.

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