Virus targets AMD processors

[stinger608]

I don't know how that can happen, but here is an article that states this problem!

Security researchers at Symantec have discovered a new proof-of-concept virus that targets processors rather than operating systems.

The worm comes in two versions targeting 32-bit and 64-bit processors from AMD. Symantec refers to the online pests as w32.bounds and w64.bounds. Both viruses are rated as 'low level' threats.

Although harmless at this stage, the viruses could be used to create malware that affects computers with disparate operating systems, according to Vincent Weafer, senior director at Symantec Security Response.

"If I can get to the processor level, potentially I can start tying myself into the core hardware," he told vnunet.com.

"I can potentially evade some of the kernel protection and user protection. There is an attraction to virus writers to get to the lowest level possible.

"Once it runs, I've got pretty low level access to that system and I could do pretty well anything that I would want to do."

But there is a big down side because different processors speak what could be seen as different Operating Code (opcode) languages.

"Typically, going down to the opcode level is not effective because there are too many variants out there and you end up working on not too many machines," said Weafer.

[Lead Head]

why just AMD systems? And where would virus writes get such low level knowledge of a CPU architecture to create that kind of thing?

[Tyreal]

Honostly, If I were a virus programmer... I think I would target Intel's instead. I mean there are only so many more Intel processors than AMD processors...

[fps justin]

Unless... the viruses are FROM INTEL! :o

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by fps justin

Unless... the viruses are FROM INTEL! :o

Well upon further reading of the virus, it does state that it is also hitting 32 bit amd and core duo!

Seems to me that it is just a stupid low level virus that someone hyped up to be a direct hit on AMD 64 bit chips :twisted:

Should of done more reading before posting i guess.

[jph1589]

IMO........Did anyone else translate this to mean that Mcafee and Symantec seem to be creating viruses so that they can sell more products. Maybe I'm just old and supsicious, but a "proof of concept virus" seem like something they found in their own lab.

Nice way to keep the sales up when they can scare the public into buying it by creating the virus themselves.

I know......i just sound like i'm paranoid. I think I've just been around watching this stuff for too long. Read my other post about it in the software forum. I think the worst virus i ever had on my machine was the Mcafee and Nortons software.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by jph1589

IMO........Did anyone else translate this to mean that Mcafee and Symantec seem to be creating viruses so that they can sell more products. Maybe I'm just old and supsicious, but a "proof of concept virus" seem like something they found in their own lab.

Nice way to keep the sales up when they can scare the public into buying it by creating the virus themselves.

I know......i just sound like i'm paranoid. I think I've just been around watching this stuff for too long. Read my other post about it in the software forum. I think the worst virus i ever had on my machine was the Mcafee and Nortons software.

HIT THAT NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD :P :P :P

And as you said "I think the worst virus i ever had on my machine was the Mcafee and Nortons software."

I have to often wonder how much of the viruses out there come from anti virus companies, and cough Micropuke!!!!

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Doesn't sound true to me... What happened to AMD's Virus Protection jigs on the CPU.