Computer Virus Infections via USB Spreading in Japan
When computers at Internet cafés and other public places get infected with new types of viruses, they are copied to USB devices plugged into them. The viruses then spread to other computers the USB is plugged into and start running a malicious program. These viruses are capable of attacking portable music players and IC recorders as well.
Computer infections with viruses by way of USB flash memory drives are spreading in Japan, according to a Trend Micro Inc. survey released Saturday.
Based on the finding, the Tokyo-based virus-scanning software company called on PC users to take precautions when sharing data with others via USB memory sticks.
A USB flash memory drive is a portable data-storage Relevant Products/Services device that has become popular as an alternative to a floppy disk.
Equipped with an integrated interface, the device can store, rewrite and remove files. It is much smaller and weighs less than a floppy disk though its storage capacity is larger -- up to 128 gigabytes.
According to the company's monthly survey, USB-mediated infections with Autorun, a typical computer virus, totaled 143 in August. The number rose to 347 in September and 471 in October.
A computer infected with the virus creates a malicious file, possibly leading to data leakage.
Conventional viruses are programmed to attack a computer when a file attached to an e-mail message opens or on-line software is downloaded.
But the September survey found that 53.7 per cent of newly detected computer viruses are programmed to spread via USB devices.
When computers at Internet cafés and other public places get infected with new types of viruses, they are copied to USB devices plugged into them. The viruses then spread to other computers the USB is plugged into and start running a malicious program.
These viruses are capable of attacking portable music players and IC recorders as well.
"It is recommended that users refrain from recklessly sharing USB devices. They should frequently run a virus scan," a Trend Micro official said.
Shinichiro Kagaya, an official at the Information-Technology Promotion Agency, said USB devices are a "blind spot" for computer users as many of them are only cautious against virus infections via e-mail messages and the Internet.
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