Security Advisor

Iran Flamed With Surveillance Malware

In what is more than likely being shopped to Hollywood studios for a summer 2013 release, security firm Kaspersky has lifted the veil off of the "Flame" virus, saying it's the "most sophisticated cyber weapon yet."

According to the company, Flame has been running rampant in the Middle East the past two years, with the majority of infected computers located in Iran. But unlike most malware, which aims to steal your credit card info (which Flame can technically do), this worm has been just watching those that have been compromised.

This includes eavesdropping on Skype calls, rummaging through cell phone data that's connected to a Bluetooth device and watching every click of the user.

And like the Stuxnet and Duqu worms, Flame may be the work of a government body. Rumors have been circulating that Israel, Iran's unfriendly neighbor, could be behind this cyber attack.

Here's what Israel had to say about it: "Whoever sees the Iranian threat as a significant threat is likely to take various steps, including these, to hobble it," said Israeli Vice Premier Moshe Yaalon. "Israel is blessed with high technology, and we boast tools that open all sorts of opportunities for us."

I don't know about you, but that sounds like Israel is fessing up to being involved, without explicitly saying so.

About the Author

Chris Paoli (@ChrisPaoli5) is the associate editor for Converge360.

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