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August 27, 2008

huh

In space, no one can hear you curse the BSoD

Posted Aug. 27, ’08, 1:30 PM PT by David Dahlquist
Category | Apple » Huh?

international station.jpgWindows-using astronauts beware: not even in space, the final frontier, are you safe from the Windows virus. BBC reports that the Gammina.AG virus has made it to the International Space Station (ISS), where it must be proudly proclaiming “one small step for Windows virus, one giant leap for Windows virus kind.”

Known as Gammima.AG., or the W32.Gammima.AG worm, it’s “a level 0 gaming virus intended to gather personal information,” and while it might not actually cause a BSoD, the fact that it made it to the friggin’ ISF is cause for concern, methinks.

First detected here on planet Earth back in August 2008, the virus lurks on infected machines and steals login names for popular online games. It allegedly infected laptops brought to the station by some rather naive astronauts who didn’t think to use any virus protection on their Windows PCs, *doh!*.

Fortunately, the infected laptops were used to run nutritional programs and e-mail clients, rather than mission-critical software, and so the virus seems to be more of a nuisance—and a security wake-up call—than an actual threat.

What’s even more alarming, is that NASA claims this “was not the first time computer viruses had travelled into space”. NASA: I think it’s time for a new OS, guys.


1 Comments

Dave-O said:

The ISF? Oh noes, the virus has Insufficient Funds. Or perhaps it crossed the final frontier to the International Softball Federation?

Also, you called it both Gammina and Gammima.

August 28, 2008 2:57 PM

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