Symantec on alert for Rugrat threat

CPI - Monday, May 31, 2004--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Symantec Security Response experts have just analyzed the first known 64-bit malicious threat, the W64.Rugrat.3344. This proof-of-concept virus is NOT spreading in the wild, Symantec said. However, it is the first known threat to attack 64-bit Windows executables successfully. The threat does not infect 32-bit executables and will not run on 32-bit Windows platforms. It only targets Win64-bit systems."Currently, there isn't a broad penetration of 64-bit systems. Most home and business systems deployed today are running on 32-bit platforms and are not affected by this threat," said Kevin Isaac, Regional Director for Symantec Middle East & Africa. "At this time, we are not expecting widespread copy cats since assembly code requires advanced technical knowledge," “While this virus is harmless in that it simply appends itself to executable files, it is significant as it is the first know instance of a virus that is able to infect 64-bit platforms.” he pointed out. Isaac also explained that at the present time, W64.Rugrat.3344 is a Level 1 threat (Level 5 being the most severe) and Symantec recommends that users update their virus definitions.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------