“W64.Rugrat.3344 is a direct-action infector (it exits memory after execution) of IA64 Windows Portable Executable (PE) files – this includes most Windows applications – excluding .dlls. It infects files that are in the same folder as the virus and in all subfolders. It is the first known virus for 64-bit Windows, and it uses the Thread Local Storage structures to execute the viral code. This is an unusual method of executing code. It does not infect 32-bit Portable Executable files, and it will not run on 32-bit Windows platforms. The virus is written in IA64 assembly code,” Symantic reports.
Macintosh unaffected.
Full article here.
As we all know MS is bring the cutting edge technology to the for front every day. This includes a 64-bit Windows and the soon to be released Longhorn version of the MS OS. Both of these platforms will be the most common OS used by the “real IT world” so it is no surprise that a few viruses would exist. At least the user knows that MS is working on a SP update to correct any over sights in the code.
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I bet there is already a Longhorn virus out there … somewhere…
Buffy – respect !
Wintendo 64…has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Longhorn BBQ at my place!
MOooo
For those that cannot type “microsoft” into their URL window and then search at Microsoft.com for “XP 64 bit”, you can get a 64-bit version of Xp at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.asp .
It is quite interesting to read. First, it has an emulation layer for 32-bit aps. It is much like the Virtual PC ap as it emulates a X86 CPU and then runs a version of XP on top of that. (Interesting coincidence how this suddenly appears right AFTER MS acquired Virtual PC!) This will make running 32-bit aps on a 64-bit system a bad idea because it will be slower. On a Mac, 32-bit aps actually run faster on a 64-bit G5 (see http://www.hollywoodindustry.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=25757 for an explanation). Also on a Mac, the SAME OS is used. You don’t need to purchase a special 64-bit version.
At Microsoft if it’s not old, it is stolen!
Hey Joe McConnel
Yes… we also ran Windows 2000 and found it to be a much better solution than the other Windows – but it was not without its own set of problems. Also, it was nowhere near as friendly for the handling of video and sound files – which is where most of our computer power is used.
And… Windows2000 was still higher maintenance than my old live-in girlfriend… (Although she sucked time and money big time, Windows beat her out handily for its ability to utterly destroy a good day.)
The Mac – like my new girlfriend – just hums along happily without a bit of trouble. Another few years of this and I just might commit…. to a G6
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Just have one thing to say – my boss gave me the go-ahead this week to deep-6 the work pc and I’m going to be getting a 17″ iMac in the next two weeks to replace it. NO MORE virii or worms for me! NO MORE unexpected REBOOTs! NO MORE “critical updates”! And finally – NO MORE wishing – and it can’t happen fast enough. I’m checking Apple’s order status website constantly and you are probably thinking I’m also one of those folks who keeps punching the button on the elevator to make the doors open faster, too – well, okay, sometimes. But Apple doesn’t make elevators – and I want my iMac!!!
Aryugaetu,
Sure OSX runs 32-bit apps, it is a 32-bit operating system, after all…
Jimbo:
Windows is so much better than OS X. For example, hackers have to send their worms, viruses, and Trojan horses to affect Windows. Now this means that an infected PC is now still better than a noninfected Mac. Get it now? Don’t you see that a PC riddled with pathogens is still better than a Mac?
You Mac people are so dense. I thought you could “Think Different”. Ha, ha, ha. You guys can’t see that even when our PC’s are hacked they are still better. Ha, ha, ha. Wait till my grandchildren have Longhorn. Then you will all see I am the man, the man, the man. The day is dawning…
(Enter burly men with nets and hypodermic syringes filled with glorious cocktails of sublime bliss.)
I heard these 64 bit viruses are twice as fast as their 32 bit counterparts…
Here is your list. Click on Microsoft Co. to see their stats…click on Apple to see theirs. This is a list of vulnerabilities.
http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletinsByType/bul_vendor_list.html
freebee, now that comparison is frightening. I wonder if thurrott would look at that?
Although this is a Macintosh news site, there’s a lot of coverage about Windows virus/worm/trojan/security problems. Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing; but why is there no mention of all the recent URI handling exploitable holes being found in OS X?
I mean, since this is supposed to be a Mac news site and all. I’d think you’d want to inform Mac users about these new potential risks.
Slashdot carried this story yesterday. The thread is worth reading for some VERY funny comments (“It’s the second not the first; IA64 Windows was the first”), as well as several noting, as Buffy did, that this gives the lie to the entire “security through obscurity” line of crap.
maczilla,
Well said, I couldn’t agree more. It’s all well and good to poke fun at Windows, but we should also get our own house in order.
Quoth maczilla:
‘I mean, since this is supposed to be a Mac news site and all. I’d think you’d want to inform Mac users about these new potential risks.’
Been there, done that. Try here.
this ‘virus’ is a proof of concept, nothing more. It’s like the apple script virus that deletes all your files (the one made up by that security company). P
Proof on concept, nothing more.
No none seems to get it. Windows gets hit a lot by viruses and the like mostly because Micro$oft is dishonest in their policies and practices. It is spiritual, not market share.
how do I get rid of “I-Worm.NetSky.q” that seems to be on my mac? I get a few e-mails everyday that have such and such an attachement.