Spyware In BlackBerry Updates For Users in the UAE 116
mulaz writes with this excerpt from The Register: "An update pushed out to BlackBerry users on the Etisalat network in the United Arab Emirates appears to contain remotely-triggered spyware that allows the interception of messages and emails, as well as crippling battery life. Sent out as a WAP Push message, the update installs a Java file that one curious customer decided to take a closer look at, only to discover an application intended to intercept both email and text messages, sending a copy to an Etisalat server without the user being aware of anything beyond a slightly excessive battery drain."
UAE - no surprise (Score:5, Interesting)
More information (Score:5, Interesting)
the register has a followup (including some code) here [theregister.co.uk].
Apparently [etisalat.ae] etisalat claims the spyware is for troubleshooting during the 2g to 3g upgrade.
Removal utility link deleted (Score:3, Interesting)
The Register article stated:
It pointed to this link: http://supportforums.blackberry.com/rim/board/message?board.id=BlackBerryDeviceSoftware&thread.id=5504&view=by_date_ascending&page=2 [blackberry.com]
But if you follow it you get:
Interesting.
Doug
Re:Did it install on all Blackberry's connected (Score:4, Interesting)
SS8 says their software is used by "some of the largest service providers in the world," so it may have been more surreptitiously pushed in phases by your own provider already.
Bum, bum, buuuuummmm.
Re:UAE - no surprise (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:UAE - no surprise (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:UAE - no surprise (Score:2, Interesting)
Apparently, VoIP services aren't completely blocked. It's just the ones that allow you to do cheap PC-to-Phone calls that are blocked, as it would kindof interfere with Etisalat's revenue. However, things like SIP and Google Talk, where it's just PC-to-PC works perfectly fine.
Flickr is blocked because Etisalat blocks "dating sites". That's the official reason. Yes, I know, flickr is not a "dating site"
In general, Etisalat's Internet service is pretty horrible compared to other countries. It's a well known fact. Sucks, but the people there generally just accept it and try to find workarounds (and doing that doesn't get them into trouble).