A New Windows CE virus has been discovered recently, prompting Anti Virus companies to stand up and take notice. This new virus, the first Pocket PC virus detected and one of only a very small number of discernible 'nasties' for Windows CE devices. Looks like it could be the start of a trend towards writing malevolent code for Windows CE based PDA's.
The parasitic virus WinCE/Dust.1520 (WinCE/Dust.A) has been classified with a low threat warning by Anti-Virus research companies. The parasite is non-destructive, so wont delete data from Windows CE devices. However it will ensure that it lurks within virtually any file it can infect.

What is worrying for Windows CE users is that the author, Ratter, clearly intended the virus to be a concept rather than a threat. Upon infection the user will be prompted asking whether they wish the virus to replicate into other files on the PDA. Selecting No will contain it to the one file. WinCE/Dust is coded only for ARM based devices and is designed to attack Windows CE 4. We have no information if it can infect HPC Pro and HPC2000 at this time. Although infection should be possible under XScale devices.

If you are infected perform a Hard Reset of your device immediately. DO NOT sync back to your PC before you do it as you may replicate the virus into the synchronisation stream.
If you see any infections on Handheld PC devices please let us here at HPC:Factor know about them. We recommend that you ensure you have a virus scanner installed on your Host PC. McAfee Virus Scan is preferred over Norton Anti Virus as it has Windows CE Scanning facilities.

View: McAfee Security