New virus targets data on BlackBerry phones

Research In Motion’s BlackBerry operating system is world-renowned as being virtually impossible to exploit, but a new study has exposed a virus that specifically targets SMSes sent using the high-end smartphones’ Messenger service.

According to security solutions firm Trend Micro, a ‘trojan’ virus, dubbed Zeus — which appears to perform a desirable function for the user prior to run or install, but steals information or harms the system — appears to specifically target BlackBerry’s SMS feature. The aim of the Zeus Trojan is to monitor users’ private information, particularly when they conduct mobile online banking transactions.

Once installed, Zeus sends a confirmation message to the hackers that transmitted the virus to signal that it is ready to receive commands. After the confirmation message. The trojan can view, delete and forward SMSes, block calls, change the administrator on the device and block phone numbers. It sends all data on the phone to the hacker in the event that it gets shut down.